World Refugee Day—and the broader month of June—serve as a reminder of the plight and courage of people forced to flee their homes. It is a call to action to ensure their safety and opportunity to thrive are upheld. This year, the number of displaced people globally surpassed 122 million, including refugees, asylum-seekers and internally displaced persons. A solemn reminder of the urgent need for the work of welcome and what is at stake without it.
This year, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) celebrated World Refugee Day— annually honored on June 20—through storytelling, centering the voices and experiences of community members who have lived through displacement and resettlement. We hosted two panels in partnership with St. John’s Norwood Episcopal Church in Maryland and the McLean Islamic Center in Virginia.
These events invited the community into the panelists’ personal journeys of displacement, hope, and homecoming as each speaker reflected on their struggles and the profound moments that helped them feel a sense of welcome in their new communities.
At St. John’s Norwood, we heard stories of welcome from:
- Maryland Delegate Teresa Woodmore, an immigrant from Mexico—once undocumented and now a state delegate—described her path from being a Dreamer to holding public office.
- Sayeed Peshtaz, an Afghan refugee, narrated how his family first felt welcomed when they saw their daughter’s name written on a preschool chalkboard. That simple gesture confirmed they were finally somewhere where they belonged.
- Edgris Salcedo, an asylum-seeker from Venezuela who was targeted for her work as a journalist, now uses her voice to uplift others through her podcast, giving a platform to fellow immigrants.
- Rahat Khpalwak, who evacuated from Afghanistan in 2021, shared the weight of forced migration, separation from loved ones and the challenge of starting over in a new country. He recounted extraordinary moments of kindness: a stranger booking him a flight, a mentor guiding him through legal systems, and colleagues treating him like family.
At McLean Islamic Center, three Afghan women resettled during different periods, shared their journeys to safety:
- Zarmina Hamidi spoke about her experience living in the post-9/11 U.S. era and how an invitation to share a cup of coffee helped break barriers and stereotypes.
- Asma Baburi, who resettled after the fall of Kabul, described the challenges of starting over and how she ultimately found her professional passion serving refugees and vulnerable communities.
- Fershta Barakzai expressed gratitude for having her family—and the support of LSSNCA—by her side, making her transition relatively smooth.
With over 100 attendees, these events were more than panel discussions— they were opportunities to connect, reflect on our work of welcome, and to consider what needs to be done to create thriving communities for all.
On June 20, LSSNCA was honored to cosponsor with Church World Service and other partners a World Refugee Day Rally, which began at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square and culminated in front of the White House. Kristyn Peck, CEO of LSSNCA, who spoke at the event, shared this truth:
“Welcoming refugees is not just an act of compassion — it's an act of patriotism. The U.S. was built on the ideals of freedom, democracy, and the belief that all people deserve safety and dignity. Refugees understand these values deeply — because they’ve lived without them. And when they arrive to the United States, they don’t take democracy for granted- they cherish it, protect it, and contribute to it.”
As we move forward, let’s remember that our work of welcome does not end with a single day or month. The legacy of welcome is something we must carry daily in our hearts.
To everyone who shared their story, who showed up, who volunteered, and asked how they can do more: thank you.
We are also deeply grateful to our community partners, St. John’s Norwood Episcopal Church and the McLean Islamic Center, who hosted and helped plan these events.
