Council issues proclamation recognizing June as Immigrant Heritage Month and June 20 as World Refugee Day

The South Bend Common Council on June 23 presented a proclamation recognizing June as Immigrant Heritage Month and June 20 as World Refugee Day and invited community representatives who work with immigrants and refugees to brief the council.

Clerk Tirado read the proclamation noting the national designation and the United Nations Refugee Agency's work. Representatives who addressed the council included John Pinter, director of United Religious Community; Carl Hettler from the Department of Community Investment; and Kathy Schreiner, volunteer coordinator for Project Dignity. Pinter said his organization has helped resettle roughly 110 refugees in South Bend since January and invited the public to a local observance at the main library (date/time to be confirmed). Hettler said the Community Investment department coordinates trauma-informed volunteer training and connects new arrivals to mental-health, housing and service resources. Schreiner described Project Dignity's focus on relationship-based support for newcomers, including housing assistance.

Council members and staff thanked the community organizations and invited those present to pose for a photo; staff said they would mail proclamation copies to local organizations that could not attend.

No formal action or funding was associated with the proclamation; it serves as public recognition of community work and local observances tied to Immigrant Heritage Month and World Refugee Day.