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Montgomery County honors World Refugee Day as refugees and providers describe paths from asylum to service
Summary
County leaders proclaimed June 20 as World Refugee Day and heard from refugees and nonprofit providers about resettlement challenges, legal support and workforce training, including one refugee who said Asylum Works helped cover legal fees and later employed her as a case manager after she was granted asylum in 2023.
Montgomery County officials on June 16 proclaimed June 20 as World Refugee Day, and county and nonprofit leaders used the ceremony to spotlight services that help newcomers build stable lives.
"My name is Amira Kamar and I am honored to be here today," said Amira Kamar, a therapeutic case manager with Asylum Works, who described arriving with limited English and few resources and said Asylum Works covered half her legal fees and supported her asylum grant in 2023. "Today I have the privilege of serving refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants who are navigating many of the same challenges I once faced."
Council organizers invited representatives from multiple local organizations to speak about programs that support refugees’ transition into housing, employment and education. Amy Wong Rona, development director with Homes Not Borders, described the group’s focus on creating not just shelter but long-term homes, and Carrie Brody, founder and director of Emma's Torch, said their culinary training and workforce-development programs have served students from more than 75 countries.
Katie Kennan of the Department of Health and Human Services highlighted the county’s Lighthouse Program, which the department says aims to help refugees and immigrants navigate systems, access services and stabilize housing and employment. Louisa Cardona of the Office of the County Executive and other partners attended the proclamation to show interagency support.
Why it matters: County leaders framed the event as a call to sustain partnerships between government and community providers so refugees can access legal help, training and housing. The speakers emphasized that local programs can turn recipients of services into providers and contributors to the local economy.
The proclamation text, read by the council, cites the U.N. General Assembly’s decision to observe World Refugee Day and recognizes the county’s role in welcoming newcomers. The ceremony closed with appeals for continued investment in education, employment, mentorship and community supports for refugees.
The council scheduled no vote tied to the proclamation; it was a recognition and public celebration of local refugee services.
