Pictured: ORAM's Executive Director, Steve Roth, in conversation with Madrine Nanyonjo, a former ORAM client and recently resettled refugee from Uganda.
ORAM recently celebrated its fifth annual Refugee Pride event, recognizing Pride Month and World Refugee Day in Los Angeles. Returning to LA after a successful event in 2023, the Refugee Pride Reception provided a powerful opportunity to raise awareness of the unique challenges impacting LGBTIQ refugees and how ORAM creates sustainable solutions.
This year’s Refugee Pride Reception fell on June 20th, World Refugee Day, adding special significance to the event. ORAM supporters Bill Resnick and Michael J. Stubbs opened their beautiful home for the evening. In 2019, Bill generously gifted ORAM with some of its initial funding to help launch its economic empowerment program in Kenya. This transformation gift has supported over 300 LGBTIQ refugees in 2023 alone, and the impact continues to grow today.
Pictured: ORAM supporters Bill Resnick and Michael J. Stubbs, who generously hosted the Refugee Pride Reception at their home in West Hollywood.
After guests enjoyed socializing and light bites, Bill welcomed them by sharing his heartfelt connection and commitment to ORAM. Anton Sarkisov, Microsoft’s Data/AI Specialist and fierce ORAM advocate, spoke about leveraging his position at Microsoft to support ORAM. As both a refugee and immigrant himself, Anton highlighted the critical importance of supporting LGBTIQ refugees and asylum seekers. “I hope you leave with the takeaway that not only are we backing an awesome cause, but backing a great organization like ORAM because they get stuff done,” Anton told guests.
Pictured: Anton Sarkisov, ORAM advocate and Microsoft's Data/AI Specialist, speaking at the event.
ORAM’s Executive Director, Steve Roth, then shared deeper insights into the organization, including ORAM’s current priorities of protection, empowerment, and advocacy. ORAM was honored to have special guest Madrine Nanyonjo, a resettled queer refugee from Uganda, join Steve and share ORAM’s critical impact on LGBTIQ refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya.
Pictured: Madrine Nanyonjo, ORAM's special guest, speaks about the crucial support ORAM provides to LGBTIQ refugees in Kenya.
Madrine spoke on ORAM’s unique value in the refugee space, saying, “ORAM does not only help LGBTIQ refugee-led organizations, but they also empower individuals to achieve sustainability.”
The program concluded with ORAM supporter Tim Hughes and Director of Development Melissa Pierce reminding guests of the power of investing in ORAM to provide protection, empowerment, and advocacy to LGBTIQ refugees. They shared that it costs $600 to provide seed funding to clients aiming to start their own businesses. Guests were encouraged to explore corporate match options, recurring giving, and other avenues to help meet the evening’s fundraising goal.
Pictured left to right: Tim Hughes, an ORAM supporter and host committee member, and Melissa Pierce, ORAM's Director of Development, remind guests of the importance of investing in ORAM.
The event brought together over 60 ORAM community members and raised over $20,000!
Pictured: ORAM guests at the 2024 Refugee Pride Reception event.
ORAM extends heartfelt thanks to our generous hosts, Bill Resnick and Michael J. Stubbs, and our host committee (Jason Sheeler, Jason Woodruff, Steve Dumas, Steve Roth, Tim Hughes, Tom Chatt, and George Scheideman). We also thank everyone who attended and donated before, during, and after the event.
Donate here if you feel inspired to join ORAM’s Los Angeles community in making a difference in the lives of LGBTIQ refugees and asylum seekers globally.
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