In response to the Syrian refugee crisis, and with tremendous community support, the refugee support organization IRIS (Integrated Refugee and Immigration Services) welcomed 530 refugees. As part of the Cathedral’s ongoing series of event to support immigrants and refugees, the executive director of IRIS, Chris George, will join us to talk about what it really takes to resettle a refugee fleeing violence or persecution—the many demands and long vetting process from the federal government, the English classes, healthcare, and support in finding work—and what resettled refugees have brought with them that enriches every community they’re a part of.

About the Series
In Their Own Words is a series born from the concept that ideas of justice and activism can sometimes make tangible humans an abstraction. At these events, we’ll hear directly from refugees, undocumented immigrants, formerly incarcerated persons, and those who have worked with them in order to learn about their experiences, the ways we can provide support, and to figure out the way all of our stories fit together