Los Angeles County Trails (Photo – lacounty.gov)
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has officially proclaimed June 2025 as Refugee and Immigrant Heritage Awareness Month, honoring the cultural, social, and economic contributions of refugees and immigrants who call the county home.
By News Desk
The motion, introduced by Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and co-authored by Third District Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, underscores the county’s long-standing commitment to inclusivity and support for displaced individuals seeking safety and opportunity.
“Los Angeles County is a mosaic of cultures, languages and lived experiences,” said Supervisor Solis. “By proclaiming June as Refugee and Immigrant Heritage Awareness Month, we are not only honoring the strength and resilience of those who have rebuilt their lives here, but also recommitting ourselves to being a place of refuge, dignity and opportunity for all.”
Home to over 10 million people, including more than 3 million immigrants, Los Angeles County remains one of the most diverse regions in the nation. Refugees and immigrants have arrived from across the globe, fleeing war, persecution, and hardship.
Supervisor Horvath echoed the message of solidarity: “We stand with our immigrant and refugee neighbors and recognize that their resilience, culture, and contributions have enriched every part of our County. By proclaiming June as Refugee and Immigrant Heritage Awareness Month, we uplift these stories and recommit to building a future where everyone belongs.”
Recent figures from the California Department of Social Services show nearly 4,000 refugees have resettled in Los Angeles County in the past five years. Since the 2022 launch of the federal Uniting for Ukraine program, more than 16,000 county residents have signed on as financial supporters for arriving Ukrainians.
To support newcomers, the County’s Department of Public Social Services operates the Refugee Employment Program, which serves an average of 3,300 individuals each month with job training, acculturation support, and employment services.
In alignment with California’s annual Refugee Awareness Month and the United Nations’ World Refugee Day on June 20, the County will host a World Refugee Day celebration this year. Organized by the Office of Immigrant Affairs, in collaboration with the Department of Public Social Services and the Refugee Forum of Los Angeles, the event will offer cultural celebrations and connect attendees to vital services such as job placement, public benefits, and family reunification resources.
The County’s efforts are bolstered by the work of community organizations like Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Church World Service, Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Service, International Rescue Committee, and Uplift Charity.
With a strong foundation in compassion and inclusion, Los Angeles County continues to lead by example in creating a welcoming environment where immigrants and refugees can thrive.
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