Board of Supervisors Declare June as Refugee Awareness Month

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors June 4 proclaimed June as Refugee Awareness Month. Throughout June, the Department of Public Social Services or DPSS and refugee service organizations will acknowledge and highlight refugees and asylees who fled war, genocide, and persecution, to start a new life far away from their homeland.

In L.A. County, where more than 3,000 refugees have settled over the past five years, DPSS has committed to providing families and individuals with the resources needed to transition to life in a new country.

“When leaving their native countries, refugees make tremendous sacrifices,” Board of Supervisors Chair Lindsey Horvath wrote in her June 4 motion declaring Refugee Awareness Month in the County.  “In June, we collectively celebrate the strength, courage, and perseverance of millions of refugees around the world.”

The Department will highlight services such as the Refugee Employment Program or REP, offered to those participating in the Greater Avenues for Independence or GAIN program. REP provides employment and training services for eligible refugees and asylees. DPSS will also inform refugees about the benefits of CalFresh food assistance, Medi-Cal, and financial support for housing, utilities, and clothing.

On June 20, the department will join its dedicated community partners in celebrating World Refugee Day at El Cariso Community Regional Park in Sylmar. DPSS staff will be onsite to provide enrollment assistance and information about all these essential programs available to the county’s refugee and asylee populations.

This year’s refugee service organizations include Refugee Forum of L.A., Catholic Charities of L.A., Church World Service, Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Service, International Institute of L.A., International Rescue Committee, Islamic Circle of North America, Jobs Vision Success SoCal, and Uplift Charity. 

Details: Learn more at Refugee Employment Program (REP) (lacounty.gov).