The national news is full of stories about refugees fleeing war-torn countries and unaccompanied minors crossing the US-Mexico border to seek a better life. But what is happening here in Seattle? Who are Seattle’s immigrant and refugee residents?  What challenges do they face? What investments is the city making to help immigrants and refugees integrate and why are those investments earning national recognition?

Columbia Alumni Association of Seattle and Harvard Club of Seattle present a panel discussion of the policies and programs in Seattle to integrate refugees and immigrants. The White House Task Force on New Americans recently released a report that highlights Seattle as one of the cities that has adopted innovative integration polices to enhance the civic, economic and linguistic contributions of new Americans to our economy and communities.

The panel will feature the following distinguished speakers:

Honorable M. Lorena González, Seattle City Council Councilmember (Pos. 9 Citywide), nationally-recognized attorney and civil rights leader who recently served as a senior advisor and legal counsel to Seattle Mayor Ed Murray.

Ms. Cuc Vu, Director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs for the City of Seattle, former Chief Diversity Officer for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and alumna of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

Mr. Hassan Wardere, Companion Athletics, a nonprofit organization that uses sports to develop leadership skills among youth in East African immigrant communities. Mr. Wardere dedicates most of his time to initiatives that help underserved East African immigrant and refugee youth. He grew up in Denver, Colorado, and graduated from the University of Colorado.

The panel will be moderated by Trang Dang Tu, Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a former refugee from Vietnam and an alumna of Harvard University.

To learn more about the New Americans Initiative: 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/tfna_progress_report_final_12_15_15.pdf

Sandwiches and beverages will be provided.

Ticket prices:

$10 Annual Members (Members click HERE to purchase tickets).

$15 Non-members and general public (Non-members scroll down to purchase)

$35 Become an Annual Member today and attend the event for FREE (scroll down to purchase)!

Seating is limited. Please RSVP as soon as possible.

Donations support Columbia Alumni Association, a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization.

This event will be videotaped.  Video production services donated by GoodSide Studio.  GoodSide offers a discount to Ivy League alumni and their employers. Please call 206-322-1576 for details.