Houston prepares World Refugee Week activities

Mayor Parker joins local agencies to launch 2012 World Refugee Week.

Mayor Annise Parker gathered with the Houston World Refugee Day Committee June 5 to proclaim World Refugee Day.

The Houston World Refugee Day Committee launched the new campaign to coincide with 2012 World Refugee Week, June 11 to June 16. The campaign aims to raise public awareness about the challenges refugees face as they adjust to a new life in the United States. It celebrates the contributions refugees make to U.S. society.

Events kick off with a reception and film screening of "Welcome to Shelbyville," a documentary about the refugee experience as it relates to race, religion and identity, at 7 p.m. Monday, June 11, at the Houston Public Library, located at 500 McKinney in the Heights. It is sponsored by the Houston Public Library and the Office of International Communities, a division of the Department of Neighborhoods.

The Young Professionals Mixer, a networking event for resettlement agencies, will be held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, June 14, at the Nouveau Antique Arts Bar, located at 2913 Main St. in the Heights.

The World Refugee Day Celebration will be held from 1-5 p.m., Saturday, June 16, at Baker-Ripley Neighborhood Center, located at 6500 Rookin St. in the Heights. The event is sponsored by the Houston Consortium and community partners.

For information about the events, contact Benito Juarez, Office of International Communities, at 713-778-6503 or go to www.refugeedayhouston.org. For information about the Department of Neighborhoods, go to www.houstontx.gov/neighborhoods.