The new residents were treated to roller skating and pizza
CHERRY HILL -- South Jersey residents packed into the Cherry Hill Skating and Fun Center on April 30 to welcome Syrian refugees who recently resettled in the region. CommUNITY South Jersey Philadelphia (SJP), a non-profit that provides refugee assistance after resettlement, organized the fun-filled "Family Night," which included roller skating, pizza, and transportation for 85 refugee guests who were warmly received by over one hundred of their new neighbors.
Pictured at the Skate Night, from left to right, Sara Hassoon, Medeeha Khan, co-founder of CommUNITY SJP; Mounera Ayoub and Soad Shindy. Medeeha Khan, the co-founder of CommUNITY SJP, plans to make "Family Night" an annual tradition, open to the public, with her organization's mission in mind -- to unite communities through service and generosity in the South Jersey and Philadelphia region. "In speaking to and working with the refugee families, many expressed interest in meeting more families in the region," said Khan. "They could not contain their excitement after receiving complimentary tickets to the event."
People of all ages and walks of life strapped on skates -- some for the first time -- to partake in this beloved American pastime. The rink DJ, paired with a translator, led children and teens in group games like, the Limbo, spin the bottle, and freeze skate. Amidst the slips and falls, the universal expression of joy -- laughter and smiles -- was plentiful and generously exchanged.
South Jersey residents packed into the Cherry Hill Skating and Fun Center on April 30 to welcome Syrian refugees who recently resettled in the region. COMMUNITY SJP, a non-profit that provides refugee assistance after resettlement, organized the fun-filled aFamily Night,a which included roller skating, pizza, and transportation for 85 refugee guests who were warmly received by more than 100 of their new neighbors.A While many of the refugees are on a steep learning curve, and eagerly learning the customs and language of their new home, some who fled their war-inflicted country are multilingual, proficient in English, and well-versed in American popular culture.
Sara Hassoon, a multilingual 24-year-old woman who enjoys watching Hollywood films, arrived to New Jersey in January 2017 and was thrilled to bring her young family to the event. "As a refugee," Hassoon said, "I know how helpful these kinds of events can be. They help us meet new people, get to know the community in which we live, and get used to our new environment. Family nights also give kids a chance to experience new things."
CommUNITY SJP was founded in late 2016 with a mission to unite communities through service in the South Jersey-Philadelphia region by harnessing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Projects to date include: ongoing refugee assistance and workshops after resettlement, meal making for the hungry, and local support for families and communities in need.
For more information visit, facebook.com/CommUNITYSJP/ or email, CommUNITYSJP@gmail.com.
This item submitted by Medeeha Khan for CommUNITY SJP.