'Acts of Welcome' event celebrates refugee, immigrant 'new neighbors' (photos)

Anya Kozyar Grutman, a recent immigrant from Ukraine, sings during First Friday's "Acts of Welcome" at the Ware Center in Lancaster on Friday, May 6, 2022. (Photo: Tim Stuhldreher)

Members of Lancaster's immigrant and refugee communities showed off their artistic talents at the Ware Center on First Friday.

In partnership with Lancaster's Church World Service and the Pennsylvania Migrant Education Program, the annual "Acts of Welcome" performance at Millersville University's Ware Center in downtown Lancaster brings together cultures from around the world. Friday featured musicians from the Congo, Peru and Ukraine and dancers from Nepal and Bhutan.

Interspersed with the songs and dances were short talks from speakers from Iraq and Nepal describing their resettlement experience. They are part of Church World Service's New Neighbors Speakers Bureau, launched as a way to connect refugees and immigrants with the broader community.

Valentina Ross, Church World Service Lancaster's director, emcee'd the evening.

"We are here to honor those who make the difficult and brave decision to leave their homes and start new lives elsewhere," she said.

A related art exhibit, "Mementos y derivas," by Claudia Rojas, a native of Cuba, is on view in the Ware Center's lobby through June 25.

Photo gallery

Barry Kornhauser, Millersville University assistant director of campus & community engagement, welcomes the audience.

William Wright, foreground, leads the Choir of Saint James Church.

Members of the Choir of St. James Church sing "Prayer for Ukraine."

David Baird explains the Migrant Education Program at Millersville University, which he directs.

Aashika Adhikari

Aashika Adhikari, 15, of Nepal, performs a dance.

Amer Al Fayadh, of Iraq, is the founder of Communication Essentials, a translation and consulting service. He described how Lancaster's welcoming culture gradually reassured a woman refugee who recently relocated with her family from the Mideast. "Together we can begin to change the world one smile at a time," he said.

Joel Makeci, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Joel Makeci, right, performs with his son, Mtaabi Makeci.

Aayusha Chapagai, age 11, of Bhutan

Aayusha Chapagai

Apsara Uprety, a former refugee from Nepal and Millersville University senior. She didn't speak English when she arrived in the U.S. as a child, so she made friends by drawing butterflies in other children's notebooks, she said. She credited the ROTC program at J.P. McCaskey High School with pushing her out of her comfort zone and helping her to develop leadership skills.

Ever Sandoval, of Peruvian and Argentinian background, sings a song.

Aayusha Chapagai and Aashika Adhikari finish a dance duet.

Aayusha Chapagai and Aashika Adhikari perform together.

Sami Subedi, of Nepal, described being baffled by American flush toilets when she arrived here at age 7. Many people looked out for her and her family over the years, pitching in with small acts of kindness, she said. "Never underestimate the difference you can make in someone's life by just stepping forward, reaching out and helping," she said.