Until Everyone Is Safe: Celebrating World Refugee Day in Columbia, Missouri

I don’t know him, but I know him. 

I see him every Tuesday and Thursday as he shows up diligently for English class. A man in his 70s. Learning a new language. He greets me with a smile that spreads ear to ear – he’s usually the first one here. His English vocabulary isn’t huge, but it is enough. We exchange brief salutations. And then we both get to work – his task ahead: the mundane work of key stroke after key stroke, the repetition of word after word. Learning, growing. 

A week wouldn’t be the same without his presence in our building. He brings a quiet joy. An undeniable light. 

But I don’t actually know him. Not really. 

I don’t know what brought him to Columbia. I don’t know what he left behind. I don’t know what obstacles he’s overcome to get here.

What I do know is that every Tuesday and Thursday he shows up eager to learn.

And I know there are thousands of people in our city just like him—people whose stories are deeper, more complicated, and more courageous than we may ever realize.

I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. 

It’s easy for us to pick up someone’s story from the moment we meet them, but there’s often so much more to a person than what we have access to.

We hear a lot of unimaginable things at City of Refuge. Stories of torture endured, childhoods stolen by rebels, family members massacred, and poverty experienced while living in a refugee camp. 

And yet… 

Our city is now filled with survivors. 

Stories we may never know, but still need to be mindful of. Thousands of individuals have fled horrific circumstances to find safety here, in the middle of Missouri. And while life here isn’t perfect—and it may never fully feel like home—it is, relatively speaking, safe. 

And safety changes things. 

What World Refugee Day Means

Every June 20, the world observes “World Refugee Day” – an international day established to honor the strength, courage, and resilience of those who have been forced to flee their homes. This year, the theme is: “Until Everyone is Safe”. 

I love that we at City of Refuge get to play a small part in that. 

I love that we get to invite people in from all over the world, to look them in the eye, to smile, and to be the type of community that embraces another. That we get the chance to partake in another’s safety as well as their journey toward flourishing. 

I love that this is a place where an elderly gentleman can come, genuinely smile, know that he is safe and cared for, and have the opportunity to learn new things.

How You Can Support Refugees in Our Community

This year, as we celebrate World Refugee Day and honor our neighbors from around the world, we need your help.

Here are a few ways you can participate:

• Volunteer at World Refugee Day – We still need help with parking, cleanup, and more. Check out our volunteer shifts and consider serving for a few hours as we celebrate our refugee community together.

• Monthly support – Your recurring gift is a continual reminder to our friends that City of Refuge is backed by hundreds of individuals throughout our community who are committed to standing beside them. Monthly financial contributions help us continue providing refugee support services and educational opportunities year-round.

• Serve this Summer – As seasons shift, so do our volunteer needs. Summer brings unique opportunities to support programs, events, and community engagement. We’d love to help you find a place to serve.

I think we have some of the most unique opportunities in our city – the opportunity to make both a local and global impact every single day. 

And even if we don’t know every story, we are handed daily opportunities to reciprocate the smiles… to warmly welcome… and to help ensure that our neighbors experience safety, dignity, and belonging. 

Thanks for all you do to help make it happen. 

Debbie Beal
Executive Director

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