Some Things Never Change

I have been blessed to be a part of City of Refuge for more than 10 years. When I began, there was no building…no central place for people to gather or seek support. City of Refuge was a small staff working out of their cars, driving to families’ homes to help however they could. Garages became storage spaces for donated items, and sorting those donations before they were distributed was often a family affair.

We have come a long way since those early days. I remember when we purchased our first building. I remember the beginnings of our English and Volunteer programs. I remember our very first World Refugee Day celebration in a parking lot filled with food, music, laughter, and community. Watching this organization grow over the years has been incredible, especially because none of us who were there at the beginning could have imagined where we would be today.

But some things have not changed.

Our very first World Refugee Day celebration took place at our original building, located at 7 East Sexton. Volunteers and staff came together to create an event open to anyone who wanted to attend. A celebration centered around food, joy, and community. We catered food from refugee-owned Tiger Chef, which was newly established at the time, and invited families to bring dishes from their own kitchen tables, ones that represented their cultures. Volunteers served food as the line stretched through the building, out the door, and into the parking lot.  Food has always been an important touchstone for people. A small piece of home shared with others, a way to build friendships, express gratitude, and show love.

A group of Eritrean women roasted coffee onsite and shared a small scale boon ceremony, showcasing beautiful traditional clothing, hospitality, and strong, fragrant coffee. Around the property, signs highlighted the many cultures and countries represented within our community. Children played games while adults sat on blankets talking and laughing together. For many of us, it was a glimpse into the resilience, strength, and humanity of people who had endured so much to be there that day.

It was, and still is, a celebration of their journeys.

This Saturday, we will celebrate World Refugee Day once again. In many ways, it will resemble that very first gathering. Food from around the world will be shared with friends old and new. Since that first event, we have been honored to collaborate with refugee- and immigrant-owned restaurants such as Shawarma Star, Med Mex, Abbey’s Swahili Delights, Myanmar Kitchen, and yes, Tiger Chef.

We will once again create a space of celebration, where blankets spread across the grass invite women to sit together and talk while their children play nearby. Men will gather to share traditional dances, and teenagers will form teams for pickup games of soccer. It is the same vision we had that very first year: a day of joy, peace, laughter, and respite. A day to celebrate. A day to remember.

Many things have changed over the last decade. The heart of our mission never has.

Kellye Dubinkski
Director of Operations

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