News And Events
Events
Upcoming KC for Refugees Quarterly Meeting
The next quarterly meeting of KC for Refugees will be at 5:30 p.m. on June 8, 2017 at the Rime Buddhist Center. We hope to see you there!
News
Local Cub Scout Holds Book Drive for Refugee Children
Josh is a Cub Scout in the third grade and he is collecting children’s picture books for Syrian refugee children here in Kansas City. He sees this as a way to demonstrate his understanding of serving God and strengthening his relationship with others. His hope is that these books will enable refugee children to learn to read jus as well as he can. Well done Josh! We can all learn from you.
Donations Made Through GoFundMe Distributed
The donations you made through our GoFundMe account were distributed to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, Della Lamb Community Services and Jewish Vocational Service – the three UNHCR agencies in the greater Kansas City area. Thank you to all who donated to support their efforts in welcoming refugees to our area!
William Say and Sofia Khan
Photos From a Visit With the Absuge Family
Johnson County Community College Students Supporting Refugees!
The students of Johnson County Community College (JCCC) held a drive to collect hygiene products for KC for Refugees to distribute to refugees in our area. Just further evidence of the love and compassion found in the greater Kansas City area. Thank you JCCC students!
Overland Park Christian Church Donates Laptops for Refugees!
Our thanks go out to the members of Overland Park Christian Church for the generous donation of laptops for our refugee children.
Presidents’ Day Podcast
Listen to this Iconoclast of Things podcast that uses the words of past presidents to speak to the richness of ways in which immigrants and refugees have contributed to this nation.
February 8, 2017 Refugee Airport Welcome
Massive Turnout for Interfaith Vigil for Refugees and Immigrants
On February 5, 2017 the interfaith community in the greater Kansas City area stood in solidarity with refugees and immigrants everywhere. More than 1300 people from a variety of faith perspectives gathered at Overland Park Christian Church to hear from religious leaders, community groups and refugees in the area. To see a video of the event, click on the button below.
Executive Order Impacts on Refugee Volunteers
Please click on the button below for a note from the Director of Refugee and Immigration Programs at Catholic Charities.
KC for Refugees Letter to Resettlement Agencies
To share their support for the caring work of the resettlement agencies, especially in these difficult and trying times, KC for Refugees has sent a letter “promising to keep [their] mission before those in elected office”, to support those being served by those agencies and to support the agencies themselves. If you wish to read the entire letter, click on the button below.
December Quarterly Meeting Update
Our quarterly meeting on December 8th provided us with LOTS more information about current, upcoming, and potential refugee needs and opportunities. If you are interested, click on the button below to download a PDF file with a list of ways you can get involved.
Dr. Sofia Khan Speaks at Della Lamb Charter School
This is a school for grades 2-8 and 70% of the students are from refugee families. Dr. Khan noted that the students interacted during the discussion and eloquently expressed their views and concerns.
KC for Refugees plans to begin a collaborative program with the school and become more active in helping the students on an ongoing basis. There are also plans to develop programs that will allow the students to interact with other kids in the greater KC area. This story was covered by KCTV5 and can be viewed by clicking on the button below.
Two Excellent Stories in KCPT's Flatland Digital Magazine
- A Force For Refugees focuses on Dr. Sophia Khan’s work.
- Picnic For Area Refugees Helps Newcomers Assimilate provides coverage of the October 15th picnic.
A New Story of Hope Emerges from a Request for Fabric and Sewing Machines
We got involved with them largely because of Ann’s long love for sewing and her deep skills with the art. That involvement morphed into her offering a class (above) to refugee arrivals to teach beginning sewing at the Della Lamb Refugee center in Kansas City’s northeast area. Our first project was to secure enough sewing machines and supplies, especially fabric. As we turned to the community to make that need known, we were overwhelmed, almost immediately, by the response, beginning with a gift of over 700 yards of fabric! It is now a few weeks later. The class began on September 15, with nine students armed with a dozen sewing machines, fabric, thread, and a whole lot of what seamstresses call “notions. All donated, all put to immediate use.
In the midst of all of the angry, fearful talk about the threat that refugees might bring with them when they arrive here in the KC Metro area, there are a whole lot of people in KC who want to be involved in helping these displaced folks make a new, happy, and prosperous home here.”
– Bill and Ann Say
Would anyone you know like to get involved as a volunteer. . .as an individual or congregational group? If so, please drop Bill or Ann a note at: wmbsay@gmail.com or asay1227@gmail.com
Refugee BBQ/Picnic - October 15, 2016
On October 15, 2016 the youth hosted the KC for Refugees BBQ/Picnic at Concourse Park. This event was great success. Thanks go out to the youth and to all who attended!
