St.John's Celebrates Refugees with Photo Exhibit at City Hall

The City of St. John's invites the general public to celebrate World Refugee Day with a special photo exhibit showcasing the resettlement experiences of young adult refugees living in St. John’s. The exhibit, titled ‘Home is Where the Heart Feels’ by the Association for New Canadians (ANC) is open to the general public beginning at noon June 20 to July 11.

“It’s important that we strive to be a welcoming and inclusive city to newcomers,” said Deputy Mayor Ron Ellsworth, Chair of the Community Services Advisory Committee. “This photo exhibit is very meaningful to the participants, all of whom have come to Canada seeking peace and a new home. We are very pleased to partner with the ANC on this powerful exhibit.”

Seventeen clients of the ANC were provided the opportunity to tell their story through photographs. The participants are from Burundi, Congo, Eritrea, Sudan and Syria. 

“The ANC is delighted to partner with the City of St. John’s for the second annual photo exhibit to mark World Refugee Day,” said Megan Morris, Executive Director of ANC. “Not only do these photos poignantly capture young refugees' view of their new home but it also allows them the opportunity to express themselves through a medium that truly has no language barriers.”

As outlined in  the City’s economic development strategy Roadmap 2021, the City of St. John’s values the role of the multicultural community and strives to make St. John’s a good place to live for everyone.
 
"I had a good time getting together with other young adults and learning about photography,” said Hassan, photographer and client of ANC. “I had so much fun and learned a lot from Bojan, Jae, Meghan and Sarah.  They gave us a lot.  I became more confident to ask people if I could take their picture.  This photography project helped me get out and get to know my city."

The photo exhibit will be on display to the public beginning at noon on Tuesday, June 20 at City Hall, open during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Media Contacts:
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca
 
Sarah Thompson
Coordinator
Association for New Canadians
(709) 727-6619
easecoordinator@nfld.net