Culture and culture shock play important roles in the 2025 Salem Reads book selection, Carmen Rita Wong’s Why Didn’t You Tell Me? and raise an interesting question: How does it feel to be an outsider and begin life in an unfamiliar culture?
Join us to hear Salem for Refugees staff share stories of the resettlement experience and the organization’s unique approach to cultural orientation and successful refugee resettlement.
Resettlement into a new country and culture is hard, but it can be done successfully. Since 2016, Salem for Refugees has welcomed hundreds of vetted and qualified refugees from a variety of countries including Iraq, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Sudan, Ukraine, and others.
Program Partner
Presented in partnership with Salem Reads: one Book, One Community - a project of the Salem Public Library Foundation.
Speakers
Rachel Imes - Rachel serves as the Development Coordinator at Salem for Refugees, where she specializes in fundraising, event planning, and fostering strong relationships with donors. With over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, Rachel is passionate about advancing the mission of SFR that creates meaningful change in the Salem community.
Kseniia Hnatovska - Kseniia and her family fled Ukraine at the onset of the war and undertook a long and challenging journey that brought them to Salem. Kseniia works as Ukrainian Navigator/Case Manager with Salem For Refugees organization now and helps other refugees to settle in and feel safe. Kseniia works hard to build a Ukrainian community in Salem and bring people and resources together.
Registration Details
Members: Free
Non-Members: Free
Event Details
Doors Open at 11:30 am
Program Begins at 12:00 pm
