Written by Megan Waters, Development & Communications Specialist

On April 28th, ACC was honored to open its doors to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

It’s not often that ACC is presented with the opportunity to host such a high-ranking diplomat. As the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield leads the U.S. Mission to the United Nations (UN) and serves as our representative in the UN General Assembly and Security Council. Consequently, she plays a vital role in representing the United States’ interests, shaping global policy, and advancing international cooperation within the UN.

The visit was arranged as part of the Ambassador’s efforts to promote the Biden Administration’s Welcome Corps initiative, a new private sponsorship program that will allow Americans to sponsor and directly support refugees arriving through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). However, it also offered the chance for Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield to speak directly with the individuals who are most affected by immigration and resettlement policy.

In the We Made This program studio, a small group of refugee community members from Guatemala, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Uganda sat down with the U.S. Ambassador to the UN and shared firsthand their stories of displacement and experiences starting new lives in the United States. As Burmese milk tea was poured and samosas passed around, the roundtable conversation shed light on the unique and multifaceted challenges faced by refugees as they navigate the process of resettlement. 

The Ambassador’s willingness to engage and listen not only a provided a platform for refugee voices to reach policymakers, but it also served as a call for greater support within the U.S. refugee resettlement system. With refugee resettlement agencies overwhelmed by the number of arriving refugee families, the support and involvement of local communities is more essential than ever. 

Are you interested in supporting and walking alongside a new refugee family? Check out our First Friends and Co-Sponsorship volunteer programs.