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LOGAN — The Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection will serve its refugee community by hosting a World Refugee Day event Saturday at Logan's Willow Park.
The free event from 5-8 p.m. will host food from several worldwide locations, including vendors like Tandoori Oven, Romo's Mediterranean Grill, and Tia Mia's Sweet Treats, according to a press release.
"When you share food together, people are really putting themselves out there — they're saying, 'I'm willing to give you what I have and share that with you. And so food is very important in all cultures," said Daniel Beus, executive director of Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection. "We're excited to have the opportunity for people of the Cache Valley community, in our new American community, to sit down and have food together."
Beus noted that while there isn't an official count of refugees in Cache County, he estimates there to be "anywhere between 1,000 to 1,200 official refugees," including those from Afghanistan, Somalia and Ukraine.
And this year, Sariah Wilkey, the organization's development and outreach manager, noted that it may be their biggest World Refugee Day celebration yet.
"Each year, it gets just bigger and more celebratory. I think maybe two years back it was just held in our parking lot," Wilkey said. "This year, we're just making it bigger. We're expecting more people."
The event will also feature dances that reflect the cultures of each refugee community in Cache Valley.
"My favorite part is seeing the different music and see the different dance styles from these different countries — and just to be able to see them bring a little piece of home with them. It's just really special," Wilkey said. "This type of event provides just that — it really makes it a community for everyone that brings people together from different backgrounds. People from Somalia and Afghanistan and Ukraine and from Logan, Utah, get to come together and just have a shared experience."
From past events, Beus noted that there was "lots of smiling, lots of laughing, lots of fun" — something especially needed for refugee communities.
"It's good to see our clients having that kind of fun because, I mean, getting to the United States as a refugee is not easy. You flee your country because of persecution and because your life was in danger. You go through a lot of trauma. And so if we're able to provide an activity where people are happy and smiling, then you know, it's worth whatever we have to do to put on this event," Beus said.
While Cache Valley isn't perfect, Beus added that it's one of the best places for refugees to reside in Utah.
"We're a pretty open-minded community, very accepting of the refugees that have moved here," Beus said. "This is still the community where you can leave your keys in your car and it's not gonna go anywhere, you know. And it's the same place where people talk to their neighbors — and it's just such a safe place."
Cache Valley also has a significantly low unemployment rate, according to Beus, helping the refugees have a much easier economic transition.
"The American dream that everybody still talks about is still alive and well in Cache Valley where somebody can build a life and be successful," Beus said.
Resettling refugees
In addition to these unifying events, Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection also provides several services to the refugee community, including resettlement. Just last year, it became an official resettlement agency — one of only three in Utah.
Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection is an affiliate with Church World Service, a national resettlement agency, and works with newly arrived refugees to help them settle into Cache Valley life for at least their first 90 days in the U.S. Some of the resources it provides are helping families find housing and employment, assisting with enrolling children in school and providing them access to legal resources to reconnect with their families.
The organization also tutors refugees in money management, U.S. history and civics to prepare for the U.S. citizenship test, and driver's license exams.
"It's really important as we provide a safe place for people at all times," Beus said. "Our office is that place for so many people where they know they have a safe place that they can get help, and they can be cared for."
The American dream that everybody still talks about is still alive and well in Cache Valley where somebody can build a life and be successful.
– Daniel Beus, executive director of Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection
Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection began in 2011 when Nelda Ault-Dyslin, an employee at Logan's Department of Workforce Services office, connected refugees to resources in the Cache Valley community.
Wilkey added that Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection has grown "exponentially" in the year she's worked there.
"With the world's circumstances, there's been more refugees, as we all saw what happened in Afghanistan — we've been able to help those people out as well as Ukraine, and then just always a constant need for those services. It's all just grown, so we've just been trying to respond to those circumstances as best as we can and help out where we can," Wilkey said.
Utah is an accepting community, but everyone can always strive to be more kind and inclusive to refugees, Wilkey admitted, especially during their time of transition.
"We're lucky to be where we live in Utah. I feel like a lot of people are driven by just being kind to others and accepting and loving other people," Wilkey said. "As far as what more people could do, I guess it's always, just be a little kinder, be a little more welcoming. Do what you can to connect those people with the resources and be patient with language barriers and help out where you can."
