ARCHDIOCESE - Catholic Social Services of Southwestern Ohio is holding its fourth World Refugee Day Celebration on June 23 from 3-7 p.m. in the Pastoral Center at the Athenaeum of Ohio.

World Refugee Day is a day of expression of solidarity with countries from across the world that host refugees and was created by a special United Nations General Assembly Resolution unanimously adopted in 2000 designating June 20 every year as World Refugee Day. The event features ethnic foods, traditional games, dance, music, and information tables featuring countries from across the world that have refugees here in the Greater Cincinnati region. CSS placed 61 refugees in the Greater Cincinnati area in 2006.

"Although the UN designates June 20 as World Refugee Day, we have chosen June 23 in order to accommodate the attendance of as many of Cincinnati's refugees as possible," said Molly Dickens, coordinator of the Refugee Resettlement Program for CSS.

"The purpose of the event being held by Catholic Social Services of Southwest Ohio is to honor the journey of refugees - their struggles, successes, and hopes - and to acknowledge the work of Catholic Social Services," said Rod Huber, director of Family Services and Refugee Resettlement for CSS. "We also want to honor the diversity and community that refugees bring to Cincinnati."

There is a $5 donation to attend the event; refugees and their families are admitted free of charge. All proceeds from the donations will be used for the CSS Refugee Resettlement Program that provides a variety of assistance to refugees to help them adjust to a new way of life right here in the Greater Cincinnati area. Any donation made at the event will go directly to assist local refugees here in southwest Ohio.