Slideshow
THE OLD OAK
Screening Co-Presented by
Welcome Corps
Saturday, April 6
7:50
Introduced by Chris George, a volunteer working with the Welcome Corps program
The Welcome Corps, a U.S. Department of State program, implemented by nonprofit organizations, empowers everyday Americans to form a private sponsor group and apply to welcome refugees (like the Syrian refugees shown in the film THE OLD OAK) into local communities. All refugees come through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Sponsors support refugees as they adapt to life in America. The boldest innovation in the United States’ approach to refugee resettlement in four decades, the Welcome Corps builds upon our country’s long tradition of providing refuge to people forced to flee their homes.
Chris George was the Executive Director of IRIS – Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, Connecticut's largest refugee agency, for 18 years before stepping down three months ago. Prior to his work in Connecticut, Chris served overseas for 17 years, mostly in the Middle East, with a variety of organizations including Peace Corps, Save the Children, USAID, and AFSC.
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