Since 2001 on the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees., the world has gathered on June 20th to celebrate and honor refugees. Here in Dallas, the five Resettlement Agencies and the City of Dallas come together each year to plan this event to celebrate the talents, cultures, skill sets and perspectives that refugees bring to Dallas.

A refugee is someone who has been forcibly displaced from their home and cannot return due to a well founded fear of persecution based on a particular identity, such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. According to the UNHCR, in 2023 there were over 110 million people displaced from their homes, and 36.4 million refugees globally.

Refugees come from all different backgrounds. They are doctors, mothers and fathers, artists, mechanics, translators, students, teachers, dentists, lawyers, and so much more. A recent study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ showed that refugees and asylees had a positive net fiscal impact of $123.8 billion on the U.S. economy over a 15-year period. Refugees not only stimulate our economy, but they bring their skills, perspectives, and cultures to our communities, creating more diverse, enriched spaces locally. That is something to celebrate!

Dallas WRD is all about gathering together to showcase the vibrant refugee community in DFW. There will be music, live performances, food and drink, games, a vaccination clinic, job fair, and community vendors offering services to refugees.

Our 2024 WRD celebration will be held at Trinity Fellowship Church at 932 S Greenville Ave Richardson TX 75081. It is just north of 635 on the corner of Greenville and Centennial Blvd in Richardson. There is a parking lot onsite that will be available on that day.

Yes! We want all who want to come to be able to. If you need transportation to the event, please contact us on the “Contact” page to coordinate someone to pick you up! If you are a refugee and have a case manager, they may also be able to transport you.

That’s great! We want everyone in the community that supports refugees to be a part of this celebration. If you are able to offer services or materials to refugees at the event, contact us about having a vendor table. Otherwise, we invite you to attend as guests, and/or sign up to volunteer on our “Volunteer” page to help us make the event happen!

Halal food options will be available, as well as a quiet room for prayer and for nursing mothers. A baby changing table is available in the women’s restroom. The building has a wheelchair accessible entrance on the east side of the building. The event will be held both outside and inside with air conditioning.

Yes! We want everyone to join us that can. Email us through the “Contact” page to get a copy of our WRD 2024 flyer, available in English, Dari, Pashto, Arabic, French, Spanish, Kinyarwanda, Swahili, Vietnamese, and Burmese.