The Millersville Area Historical Society will meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, in Millersville's Municipal Center, 100 Municipal Drive. Stephanie Gromek will present "Global to Local: Lancaster, Pa., and 300+ Years of Welcoming Newcomers." She is the development and communications coordinator for the immigration and refugee program of Church World Service (CWS) in Lancaster.
Gromek will explore CWS Lancaster's 33 years of resettlement services, which have resulted in Lancaster being called the "Refugee Capital of America." Gromek will address how and why Lancaster has become the home of many refugees and what the community's response has been, including responses to today's refugee crisis. She will relate current attitudes to founder William Penn's vision of the area as a safe haven for refugees fleeing religious and political persecution. A question-and-answer session will follow.
Gromek has worked with refugees and displaced people for some 12 years. Gromek began her career working with HIV/AIDS populations based in Nairobi, Kenya, and then, after completing a master's degree in community health at Hofstra University, held various posts related to resettlement and health coordination, including a stint at the State College CWS office.
Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. For more information, readers may call Phil Gerber at 717-872-8837 before 5 p.m. or email pge8507@aol.com.
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