Below is the press release from Building Hope in the City–

SAVE THE DATES—June 18-20, 2010

Cleveland — In recent years, Greater Cleveland has welcomed more than 1,000 international refugees who have resettled in urban neighborhoods.  American life and culture is all new to them!  With the help of volunteer mentors and teachers, they are learning to both navigate and contribute to our communities.

Local residents will have a rare and candid opportunity to learn more about area refugees in Voices Worth Hearing, Art Worth Sharing, an innovative multi-media exhibit that will premiere in Cleveland’s Gordon Square District in June and timed to raise awareness for World Refugee Day (June 20, 2010).

Award-winning photographers Steve Cagan, Donald Black Jr., and Gabriel Gonzalez were each embedded in the daily lives and experiences of three local refugee families (Bhutanese, Burundian, and Burmese, respectively), capturing their joys, challenges and transplanted cultures on film.  The result will be revealed in a black-and-white photography exhibit on display at Wall Eye Gallery, 5304 Detroit Ave., June 18-20 (continuing June 25-27).

The premiere weekend also includes a companion documentary by Emmy-winning video producers Bob Becker and Luanne Bole-Becker (at the West Side Ecumenical Ministry Reinberger Auditorium, 5209 Detroit), along with multicultural food and displays (Saigon Plaza, 5400 Detroit).  All events take place within a city block at the eastern end of the Gordon Square Arts District.

Voices Worth Hearing is a project of Building Hope in the City (BHITC), with partial funding provided by the Cleveland Colectivo, and in cooperation with Cleveland Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) and Asian Services in Action, Inc (ASIA).

Building Hope in the City is an urban ministry organization founded in 2003 as an outgrowth of the many community-based programs at Trinity Lutheran Church, an active center-city parish located on Cleveland’s near west side.  BHITC is an independent, ecumenical, faith-based organization committed to serving the needs of urban residents through and in partnership with local congregations and agencies.

For more information or to reserve an exhibition catalog, please contact 216.281.HOPE or Luanne@buildinghopeinthecity.org.

To view flyer, please click here.