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Aurora Immigrant and Refugee Commission summarizes outreach, plans digital storytelling project
Summary
The Aurora Immigrant and Refugee Commission reported community outreach, four public meetings and plans for a resource toolkit and a digital storytelling project to amplify immigrant voices.
The Aurora Immigrant and Refugee Commission presented its 2025 annual report to the Aurora City Policy Committee on Sept. 3, outlining outreach efforts, partnerships and plans for a digital storytelling project.
The commission, chaired by Samuel Gora Michael, told council members it held four public community meetings this year, hosted events at immigrant-owned venues, supported more than six immigrant-owned businesses, and placed immigrant representatives on city cultural selection committees.
"When everyone can participate fully, our whole city benefits," Samuel Gora Michael, chair of the commission, said, describing efforts to make information available in multiple languages and to meet people ‘‘where they are’’ through community coffees, meet-and-greets with public-safety staff and participation in cultural festivals.
The commission said it worked closely with the city Office of International and Immigrant Affairs, reconnected with past commissioners, and joined the Aurora History Museum selection committee to ensure immigrant perspectives inform city displays and programming. It reported involvement with the Colorado Refugee Services Program and with planning for Aurora's Global Fest 2025.
Looking ahead, the commission described two projects it hopes to launch: an Aurora Immigrant and Refugee Commission resource toolkit for accessible information and quarterly community cafes to maintain dialogue. It also proposed a digital storytelling initiative to share immigrant voices and experiences with the broader community.
Council members thanked the commission and expressed interest in collaborating. "I'd love to just understand more about what that looks like," Council Member Gardner said, referencing the digital storytelling idea and noting concerns for particularly vulnerable groups, including Venezuelan community members.
Council Member Medina said she would schedule a meeting with the commission to explore integration with groups she works with.
The presentation did not include a council motion or vote; committee members expressed support and offered follow-up engagement.
