The State Department and Indianapolis.

A few weeks ago the State Department and UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) made a visit to Indianapolis to visit the two refugee resettlement offices located here. The visit included a time for the refugee agencies to come together and discuss all of the good (and some bad) going on in the 'refugee world.' It was great to be able to get an update on things happening across the world and the way it affects our work here domestically. It was also great to be reminded of the great work being done by Catholic Charities Immigration and Refugee Services and how work done here affects thousands of individuals and families living across the globe. The day concluded (well for me anyways) at a stakeholders meeting, where around thirty community leaders gathered to share their concerns and thoughts on Indianapolis being such a large placement site. Although there were some concerns raised, the Indianapolis community is so welcoming of the refugee population and so eager to do what they can to make this transition to American life as easy as possible. Indiana has proven to be a step above the rest when it comes to hospitality!

Indy Star covered this site visit here.

This video also gives a great portrayal of the reason so many 

refugees flee their country each day.