New name, same mission! LIRS is now Global Refuge. Learn more.

New name.
Same mission.

LIRS is now Global Refuge.

Welcoming newcomers since 1939.

See Our Evolution

The browser you are using is not supported. Please consider using a modern browser.

Skip Navigation
Donate
Start of main content.

News

Statement: Honoring AAPI Heritage Month

Global Refuge logo

Global Refuge Staff

May 15, 2021

Global Refuge Statement in Recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

Global Refuge celebrates the history and achievements of our nation’s Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community members. America is blessed by their contributions to the arts, law, science and technology, sports and public service – especially in front-line roles as health care providers, first responders, teachers, and other essential workers.

Global Refuge is proud to have offered a warm welcome and firm footing to thousands of AAPI refugees over our 80-year history. From Vietnamese people seeking protection after the fall of Saigon, to ethnic Rohingya and Chin families fleeing religious persecution in Myanmar, to those displaced by war in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, we are moved by the resilience, courage, and fortitude these newcomers offer our nation.

Global Refuge also stands in solidarity with AAPI community members as they face a horrific rise in hate crimes, violence, and prejudice. We strongly condemn racism and white supremacy in all its forms and pray for peace and justice.

At Global Refuge, our work is rooted in faith and belief in the inherent dignity of all people, representing all races, ethnicities, genders, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, economic statuses, and countries of origin. We all should be able to feel safe while walking down the street, and these recent acts of violence – coupled with generations of anti-AAPI prejudice and institutional racism – are a devastating reminder that our work is far from over.

We pray for the AAPI community and those with hatred in their hearts, but prayer is incomplete without action. We commit, too, to advancing the rights of AAPI people, particularly immigrants and refugees, and centering the AAPI perspective.

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”

John 13:34

Celebrating AAPI Members in the Global Refuge Network

Get to know the stories and perspectives of AAPI people in the Global Refuge network!

Lyna Ninkham

Employment Specialist at Canopy NWA (Global Refuge affiliate)
How has your personal story played a role in your passion to work in refugee resettlement?

My father (Laotian) was a refugee from the Vietnam War and resettled into the U.S. in the early 1980s and after resettling into the U.S., he went back to Thailand to marry my mother (Thai). I’ve always admired my parent’s resilience and strength to overcome language and cultural barriers that they faced which ignited my passion to be intentional with my degree and career choices when I got older. My parents are entrepreneurs but they became so after many years of working in laborious jobs. Now they have a grocery store and restaurant of their own and give back to the community by providing job opportunities and access to cultural goods in Northwest Arkansas.

What leadership roles have you played in the Global Refuge network?

I currently work as the Employment Specialist at Canopy NWA and have been in this role for a little over two years now working with new arrivals and asylees in the community. A fulfilling task that I get to perform in this role is being able to help individuals gain employment after arriving in the U.S. From greeting them at the airport to their first day of work, it’s rewarding for me to see the amount of growth and progress that refugees make in order to start their lives in their new home. It truly is a reflection of their own resilience and strength.

What immigrant/refugee communities have you served? How have you been able to relate to them through a common background and/or building community with them?

Our site has resettled a lot of refugees from the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) which has challenged me to learn more and gain an interest about another culture and history that is different from my own. Growing up in a household with limited English proficiency has definitely prepared me to find creative ways to communicate with one another and with my father’s past of fleeing war and building a new life for himself in the U.S. is a story that I hope encourages new arrivals of the opportunities that await them.

Sang Pham

Refugee Employment Program Manager at Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida
How has your personal story played a role in your passion to work in refugee resettlement?

I escaped from Vietnam by a little boat 40 years ago. After being held in a refugee camp in Thailand as well as in Indonesia for a few years, I finally got to come to America.  I had to learn to adapt and adjust with a new way of life here as well as preserve my culture. It wasn’t easy but I managed. In many ways, I feel I can relate to other refugees and understand them better because I was in their shoes years ago.  I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to help refugees with their new life in America. It gives me a sense of satisfaction that I have a chance to give back.

What leadership roles have you played in the Global Refuge network?

I’m a refugee employment program manager at LSS. My main role is to advocate and help refugees to become employed and self-sufficient as soon as possible. It’s such a joy to see them progressing and doing much better than when they first arrived.

What immigrant/refugee communities have you served? How have you been able to relate to them through a common background and/or building community with them?

We serve a very diverse group of refugees at LSS. We have had refugees from Afghanistan, Burma, Cambodia, Congo, Cuba, Eritrea, Iraq, Iran, Haiti, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam…  I feel I can relate to any of them because I was also a refugee and there is a special connection as we all share a very similar story.

Explore our AAPI Reading List

Check out these must-read stories by AAPI authors about immigrant and American life! From novels to nonfiction to Young Adult, there is a book for everyone to love!

Book List

The Latest

  • Press Release · Refugee Resettlement

    September 30, 2024

    U.S. Resettles Most Refugees in Three Decades, Maintains FY 2025 Refugee Cap at 125,000

    The White House announced today that President Biden has officially signed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Presidential Determination on refugee admissions, maintaining the annual cap at 125,000 refugees.

    Read More
  • News

    September 26, 2024

    How to Talk to Your Kids About Immigration

    Learn how to talk to your kids about immigration from Global Refuge.

    Read More
  • News

    September 26, 2024

    Supporting Empowerment: A Donor’s Story

    "Matt is a proven leader, he understands the economic strength refugees bring to our communities, and he has compassion for welcoming newcomers,” said Jon Buuck, Global Refuge Senior Philanthropic Advisor. “We could not ask for a better partner in the work of welcome.” 

    Read More
  • News · Community Engagement

    September 25, 2024

    Global Refuge on WYPR: Combatting Misinformation about Immigrants

    Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President & CEO of Global Refuge, joins WYPR for a discussion on the spread of misinformation about immigrants.

    Read More
  • Press Release

    August 19, 2024

    Global Refuge urges thoughtful immigration discussion at DNC

    We hope to hear a robust commitment to policies that respect the rights and dignity of immigrants and refugees, prioritize family unity, and reflect the enormous contributions these newcomers make

    Read More

Share