• Saturday December 14, 12 to 3 p.m.
• Tilton Hall in Higgins University Center

Many new Americans, who have lived in refugee camps from 3 to 20 or more years, are now happy to have a secure home in the generous and welcoming community of Worcester.

Worcester will be the host city for a unique holiday celebration with Iraqi, Somalian, Bhutanese, Burmese, Kareni, Liberian, Central African Republic, and Tanzanian families, sharing their cultural food, music and dancing at this event on Dec. 14.

New Americans who are students at Clark and other colleges will be recognized.  Those who have become American Citizens will also be honored.

The International Center of Worcester (ICW), located on the Clark University campus, is a partner in this event.  ICW Executive Director Royce Anderson and ICW international student interns will volunteer, and ICW members have been invited to attend.

The event has been organized by Advocates for Refugees, a network of volunteer organizations around Massachusetts that help refugees integrate into American culture while preserving and celebrating their own cultural heritage.  The Advocates are a part of the Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministry serving Dorchester, Lynn, Lowell, Springfield, and Worcester. The Ministry’s Executive Director Mar Imsong, will serve as the moderator, and other members of their Board of Directors will volunteer to help with the set up. Donations received from churches and civic organizations will enable more than 200 families take home Christmas Gift Bags with blankets, scarves, gloves and other household and gift items.