KIN - CONNECT
  • Home
  • Get Involved
    • Start or Grow an Adult English Program
    • Volunteer >
      • LaMP
      • Embrace Program
      • Adult English Programs
      • 2nd Home
      • Occasional Opportunities
      • Translate/Interpret
    • Training >
      • Volunteer Adult English Teacher Training
      • ELL Volunteer Continuing Education
      • Cross-Cultural Communication Seminar
      • International Experience
      • Culture Orientation
    • Events & Festivals
    • Visit Businesses Owned by Local Internationals >
      • Restaurants
      • In-Home Medical Care
    • Finances & Donations
    • Personal Growth Resources
  • The Network
    • Partner Portal
    • Volunteer Portal
  • Resources for Local Internationals
    • 2nd Home for College Students
    • Immigration & Naturalization
    • Employment Assistance
    • Healthcare Resources
    • Driving Resources
    • Home Ownership & Money Management
  • Impact Stories
  • DONATE

One Day to Celebrate

7/8/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
2019 n13
​Orange shirts were everywhere, and we weren’t at a UT football game! The shirts welcomed everyone who entered in their own language. Drums echoed beyond the doors, beckoning us all into the space. Smiles played across every face—volunteers and visitors.

Where was I? At this year’s World Refugee Day celebration: one day marked to celebrate people from many nations who have immigrated to the United States, escaping violence and oppression while bringing beauty and creativity to metro Knoxville. 

The children’s area consumed half of the Jacob’s Building at Chilhowee Park. There were two inflatable play places, snacks, crafts and activities, even an arm-wrestling station. Along one side, many organizations serving refugees and other internationals set up displays and engaged those who attended. (Here at KIN, we connected with six new translators/interpreters and several other new volunteers.) Beside the KIN table, one volunteer drew henna on visitors’ hands non-stop from 5:30pm to 8:00pm! 

On the other side of the building, long tables of food offered tastes from many countries. Regardless of our previous experiences, there was something new for each person to try. In the middle, visitors could sit down to eat in front of a stage supporting performances, presentations, and an African fashion show.

The food was good, the entertainment enjoyable, and the information relevant, but one aspect of the evening surpassed all others: the greetings. Old friends hugged after months apart. New friends shook hands. Everyone smiled. Everyone was welcome. What began as a celebration day turned into a family reunion.

READY TO BE INVOLVED?
Events like this happen once or twice a year, and it takes many, many volunteers to make it work! If you would like to help plan and present an event, get more information about occasional volunteer opportunities or email us today.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    IMPACT

    Read the stories of Knoxville's local internationals and the volunteers who have impacted their lives. Get a first-hand view of what it's like to move here and/or to serve those who've moved here from other countries. Discover how KIN has impacted life and culture in metro Knoxville.

    Archives

    August 2024
    May 2024
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    October 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018

    Categories

    All
    Accent
    Adult English Class
    Afghanistan
    Africa
    Asia
    Asylees
    Behind The Scenes
    Birthday
    Children
    China
    Christmas
    Citizenship
    Covid
    Culture Class
    Donations
    Driving
    ELL
    Embrace
    Families
    Field Trip
    Food
    Healthcare
    History
    Home Ownership
    Hospitality
    Immigrant
    Immigrant Heritage Month
    Intern
    Internationals
    INVEST
    Iraq
    KIN
    LaMP
    Library
    Mental Health
    Mentoring
    Middle East
    Multi-cultural Celebration
    Nations Next Door
    Partner Organization
    Reading
    Refugees
    Restaurant
    School
    Special Immigrant Visa
    Students
    Teachers
    Thailand
    Thanksgiving
    Transportation
    Tutoring
    Ukraine
    Venezuela
    Volunteer
    Volunteers
    World Refugee Day

    RSS Feed

About

Why KIN?
​Our Team
​KIN's History
Statement of Faith
Numbers & Need
KIN in the News

Contact KIN

865.235.1476​
[email protected]

Mailing
PO Box 31052
Knoxville, TN 37930
​
Office
6300 Deane Hill Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
A proud member of
Picture
Picture
Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos from shixart1985, jonkriz, shixart1985, Jocey K, Rod Waddington
  • Home
  • Get Involved
    • Start or Grow an Adult English Program
    • Volunteer >
      • LaMP
      • Embrace Program
      • Adult English Programs
      • 2nd Home
      • Occasional Opportunities
      • Translate/Interpret
    • Training >
      • Volunteer Adult English Teacher Training
      • ELL Volunteer Continuing Education
      • Cross-Cultural Communication Seminar
      • International Experience
      • Culture Orientation
    • Events & Festivals
    • Visit Businesses Owned by Local Internationals >
      • Restaurants
      • In-Home Medical Care
    • Finances & Donations
    • Personal Growth Resources
  • The Network
    • Partner Portal
    • Volunteer Portal
  • Resources for Local Internationals
    • 2nd Home for College Students
    • Immigration & Naturalization
    • Employment Assistance
    • Healthcare Resources
    • Driving Resources
    • Home Ownership & Money Management
  • Impact Stories
  • DONATE