CWS Durham

Happy Pride Month from CWS Durham! We are proud to work towards a world where all LGBTQ+ people can live in safety and dignity. We’re so grateful to all the members of our own community who are walking alongside us this and all year long.

Our first Durham Refugee Day screening 🎬 is happening next week! Don't miss out on seeing our first block of curated short films featuring the experiences of those facing displacement.
➡June 5, 10AM-12:20PM, at the DCo Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St.)
Invite a friend and secure your complementary tickets here 🎫 https://durhamrefugeeday.com/

World Relief Durham City of Durham, NC Government Durham County Government

This year Durham Refugee Day is bringing you 3️⃣ movie screenings 🎬 throughout the month of June 📆 to offer viewer experiences 🎬 of the plight of millions of refugees world wide, including stories in our local Durham community 🏡. Each with a tailored block of short films, bring your family and friends to join us for food 🍿, fun, and more.

Screening 1: June 05, 2026, 10am to 12:30pm, DCo Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St.)

Screening 2: June 12, 2026, 4-6pm, DCo Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St.)

Screening 3: June 20, 2026, 1-2:30pm, Russell Memorial CME Church (703 S. Alston Ave. Durham, Nc 27701)

Register and secure your complimentary tickets 🎫 to one or all three of the Durham Refugee Day film screenings today https://durhamrefugeeday.com/

Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia have no place in our communities. According to the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, an exact number of LGBTQI+ forcibly displaced persons is not known. However, vast documentation exists of many who must flee countries where their rights are not protected, or where they are actively threatened or discriminated against due to their sexuality or gender identity.

On this International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, we imagine a world where all are celebrated for who they are.

This International Day of Families, CWS is proud to stand with immigrant and refugee families in our community!

We hear directly from those in our client communities that fear has increased, with many members intimidated by ICE/CBP threats and past presence, eager to know what to do if approached by officers. CWS Durham is proud to expand our Know Your Rights presentations in a variety of languages. These sessions empower community members with legal information, safety planning, and preparedness resources. We recently hosted an Arabic-language Know Your Rights presentation with 15 attendees.

Many thanks to the volunteers, colleagues, and donors who make this event possible.

For 80 years, CWS has been a light in the world! CWS works to turn fear into safety, displacement into belonging and despair into possibility. Today, on our 80th birthday, every gift made helps unlock a $40,000 match to help families rebuild, recover and reclaim their future. Be the spark that makes it possible. Give now: www.cwsglobal.org/giving-day

Founded on May 4, 1946 in the aftermath of WWII to provide food and supplies to war torn Europe and to resettle refugees from the war, CWS continues to address the most pressing crises facing our world. Through many challenges, CWS continues to stay true to the mission of providing just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. Our vision is a world where all people have food, voice and safe place to call home.

Many thanks to everyone who attended our inaugural community cultural dinner! The evening was a celebration of Afghan music, culture, and dance, with participants learning a traditional dance from CWS Durham's own Mumtaz Popal and Ashraf Saad.

We are deeply grateful to our client chefs for preparing such a delicious meal, and to Durham Academy for their partnership and collaboration. All proceeds benefited CWS Durham.

Thank you to everyone who came out to our State of Play last week! Participants heard from Danilo Zak, CWS Policy Director, about current policies affecting our immigrant and refugee neighbors, as well as ways to engage in advocacy efforts. Keep an eye on our socials and newsletter for future events!

State of Play event is tomorrow! Come to learn about recent policy changes impacting our immigrant and refugee neighbors. RSVP here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/DesignPageV2.aspx?origin=NeoPortalPage&subpage=design&id=euIOW-fCoEOH02ucW1btoJJa612bSrVGn5shCh0hv4xUOUswUk4zSTFLMFZDNzBGT09aRkVKSEtWNC4u

Our CWS Durham team would like to invite you to join us for an upcoming State of Play interactive session.

In addition to offering an online attendance option, we will be gathering in person in Durham to hear the CWS HQ policy team virtually share updates about how recent policies are impacting our most vulnerable neighbors.

During the initial session, the policy team will provide an update on where the work of CWS stands right now, what we are seeing nationally, and the challenges and opportunities ahead.

After the virtual presentation, we will host a short discussion focused on ways to become further involved through advocacy, volunteering, and giving. Our hope is that we will leave with tangible action steps for how we can come together as a community to continue to support our refugee and immigrant neighbors.

Please save the date and register if you plan to attend; light refreshments will be provided. Those virtually participating will also have a chance to attend the "further involvement" session.

Location: CWS Durham-504 W Chapel Hill St S 106, Durham, NC 27701
Date: Tuesday, April 7th
Time: 6pm – 7:30pm
Registration: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=euIOW-fCoEOH02ucW1btoJJa612bSrVGn5shCh0hv4xUOUswUk4zSTFLMFZDNzBGT09aRkVKSEtWNC4u&route=shorturl