Honoring the unique, intersectional identities of our communities

Newsletter | June 12, 2024

June is a month of celebration and remembrance. It is a month to remember the heritage of our unique, intersectional identities and those who have fought to ensure people can fully embrace and live as their whole selves. We remember the pains of our histories in hopeful reflection to continue the journey towards justice, equality, and shared prosperity. We also celebrate the journey and the progress made, recognizing there is more to do.

Pride, Immigrant Heritage Month, Juneteenth, and World Refugee Day all provide unique opportunities for celebration, but also moments to recognize the intersections of our journeys and identities.

As we think of paths forward towards inclusion, shared prosperity, and opportunities to work collectively, it is meaningful to reflect on the intersections of identities and social movements when thinking of Pride, Juneteenth, and Immigrant Heritage Month. I think of the activism and legacy of Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman, and Sylvia Rivera, the Latinx child of a Venezuelan mother and Puerto Rican father, who vehemently fought to ensure the voices and experiences of trans women of color were heard and seen in broader liberation movements.

With Juneteenth, Immigrant Heritage Month, and World Refugee Day, I reflect on how people arrived in the US- whether by force or coercion, displacement or economic necessity, or the search for better opportunities- and the collective efforts to create a sense of home, of belonging. I think of the continued fight for racial justice and an immigration system that centers the humanity and dignity of people coming to the US. Finally, I think of the collective efforts across communities to work together towards a more inclusive society where everyone thrives.

As we move through June, let’s embrace the spirit of celebration and remembrance. Let’s also work to build more collaborative coalitions to ensure the safety, well-being, and pathways to success so all may share in the prosperity in the growth of our region.

BRYAN WRIGHT

Executive Director

Cincinnati Compass

IN THE COMMUNITY

About RefugeeConnect

RefugeeConnect helps refugees and asylees navigate often unfamiliar systems, new cultural norms, and language barriers. RefugeeConnect promotes coordinated services so that this specific population of new Americans, who may be unaware of the patchwork of crucial resources already in place, reach their full potential as individuals, families, and civic and community leaders.

The goal of the Community Navigator Program is to reduce barriers that prevent families from becoming self-suficient, address social determinants of health, increase equitable access to services and resources through partner training and consultation, and support th elong-term success of families through a coaching model

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About Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc. (KRM)

Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc. (KRM), a non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing resettlement services to refugees through faith- and agency-based co-sponsorship, fostering self-sufficiency and successful integration into our community. KRM is committed to offering access to community resources and opportunities, and to promoting awareness of diversity for the benefit of the entire community.

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World Refugee Day Celebration 2024

Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio is holding its Annual World Refugee Day celebration, "Welcome, New Neighbor!" It will be on Saturday, June 22, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Academy of Multilingual Studies (AMIS) School at 1908 Seymour Avenue in Roselawn. Beginning at Noon, they will have a short program including a reading of the City of Cincinnati World Refugee Day proclamation. The family-friendly day includes games and activities for all ages as well as music, dancing, and cultural performances.

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About Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio

Catholic Charities Southwester Ohio welcomes refugees escaping persecution, war, and violence in their homelands, empowering them to build new lives and become self-sufficient. Since 1980, they have resettled thousands of refugees from all over the world in Greater Cincinnati, beginning with refugees from Vietnam in the early years to more recent arrivals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bhutan, Syria, Eritrea, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. By providing housing, job training, and educational support, Catholic Charities ensures that these individuals and families can successfully integrate into their new communities.

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Opportunities

CONNECT WITH RESOURCES | CINCINNATI COMPASS

We are committed to helping you connect with the people, services, programs, and organizations you need. Here’s the resource hub dedicated to immigrants and refugees in the Cincinnati region. Find everything you need to move forward with your business, career, education, housing, immigration, community building, or social service plans. Please contact us at connect@cincinnaticompass.org if you need additional information, assistance connecting to one of the organizations, or want to discuss which type of service is best for you.

CHECK OUT OUR RESOURCES

COMMUNITY RESOURCES GUIDE | CINCINNATI & HAMILTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Explore social services ranging from meals to emergency shelter and beyond throughout Cincinnati and Hamilton County with the Cincinnati Public Library's community resources guide. Please be aware that schedules and services may be subject to change. It is recommended to contact the organization in advance for the latest information. If access to a phone is unavailable, individuals can seek assistance from a library staff member to utilize a library phone for necessary inquiries.

VIEW THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES GUIDE

CARE-CINCINNATI'S INFORMATIVE SERIES ON NAVIGATING RESOURCES IN CINCINNATI

We've achieved a significant milestone with our CARE-Cincinnati group to produce an informative series on navigating resources in Cincinnati! In this series, we cover several crucial topics, including workers' rights, colleges and higer education, K-12 education in Cincinnati, public benefits, taxes, immigration, and healthcare accessibility.

Each video provides an overview and essential information related to the topic. Additional resources will be linkedin the description below each video. Videos are available in Arabic, English, French, Nepali, Spanish, and Swahili.

Check the videos out on our YouTube channel and share them!

VIEW THE VIDEOS

Events

FEATURED EVENT

World Refugee Day Festival

June 15, 2024 | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Goebel Park, Covington, KY

Join Kentucky Refugee Ministries-Covington and RefugeeConnect for their inaugural World Refugee Day Festival, held at Goebel Park in Covington, Kentucky, on June 15th, beginning at 11 a.m. The event will feature:

Free food catered by Olive Tree and Olla Taqueria Gutierrez
Live music, including a performance by a Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra Quartet
Zumba and yoga sessions
Children's activities
A community art project
And more!

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FEATURED EVENT

Culture Day 2024

June 22, 2024 | 12 - 6 p.m. | Hellman Creative Center, Covington, KY

Presented by the Kentucky African Women Association (KAWA), Culture Day is a free public event that brings our community together to showcase arts, cultures, vendors, food, entertainment, games, a fashion show, and other fun activities and performances. This family-friendly gathering occurs annually in the summer to celebrate multiple cultural awareness, enhance the community’s knowledge of many cultures represented locally, and connect individuals to resources in the community. .

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FEATURED EVENT

Cincinnati Rhythm

September 13, 2024 | 6 - 10 p.m. | Cincinnati Museum Center

Cincinnati Rhythm is our highly anticipated, multicultural annual event. There’s something for everyone who attends including plenty of food, music, performances, and special awards. Every year we hold this special event for the immigrants and refugees who call our region home. The event is a celebration and an opportunity to connect with friends, old and new.

So save the dates – September 13, 2024 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Cincinnati Museum Center – and join us in celebrating the new Americans who contribute to a strong regional economy and a diverse, vibrant community.

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