World Refugee Day

In addition to being Father's Day, Sunday was also World Refugee Day.  I introduced you to this special commemoration last year; if you haven't read the post detailing the background of World Refugee Day, click here.  This year, the theme of 'Home' searches to recognize the plight of the more than 10 million refugees around the world.  Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie has remained consistently involved with UNHCR concerning refugees over the past several years.  Here she speaks briefly about refugees for World Refugee Day:

 

In light of her plea to not forget the refugees of the world, I reflect on my career as a social worker in a resettlement agency.  I've worked with two different resettlement agencies in two different states over the past few years, and while each agency may have its own set of particulars, the end goal is still the same.  The problems, issues, and challenges are still the same.  The attitudes of the staffs are still the same.  We love our clients, but...

We would rather not have a job.

Because that would mean there are no more refugees in the world.  That would mean that genocide and ethnic cleansing and torture and persecution would not be as commonplace as they are now.  That would mean that the world would be much different than it is now.  So while I am grateful and honored to work with such wonderful coworkers and such amazing clients (who truly do offer so much to our communities), I pray that one day, I will have to find a new job because there are no more refugees needing resettlement.

If your're in Kentuckiana, check out this week's Leo.  The cover story focuses on Kentucky Refugee Ministries, the resettlement agency in Louisville for which I now work.  You can read the article online here as well.