Refuge Lansing is a storytelling project celebrating decades of refugee resettlement in mid-Michigan. These are stories about families who have fled violence and persecution in their home countries and are now an integral part of the Lansing region – buying homes, starting businesses, sending their children to local schools, and adding to the diverse quilt that makes us such a unique, welcoming community. Our church will host the Refuge Lansing traveling display from Friday, February 23, through Sunday, March 4.

Accompanying the Refuge Lansing exhibit is a beautiful, 64-page, full-color book. Copies are available for a minimum donation of $25 to the Global Institute of Lansing, Refugee Development Center, Samaritas or St. Vincent Catholic Charities. Books will be available during the exhibit at church.

As a part of this project, Judi Harris of St. Vincent Catholic Charities Refugee Services will address the congregation on Sunday, February 25. Judi has been the program director for Refugee Services since 2008. She manages staff, coordinates services and develops community relationship networks to assist refugees in successful resettlement and integration into the greater Lansing Area community.

Judi earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and French from San Francisco State University and a Master in Health Education from Trinity College in Washington, DC. Judi speaks four languages. She has worked in the Balkans, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. She is also a refugee foster parent. Judi will also be available after the service on Sunday, February 25, for a time of question and answers.