Chicago Refugee Coalition welcomes new arrivals with ‘Day of Dignity’

CHICAGO – The Chicago Refugee Coalition made sure the city's new arrivals felt welcomed through the organization's Day of Dignity held Saturday at the Humboldt Park Fieldhouse.

Major retail brands, including Bombas and Allbirds, donated supplies to help over 2,000 migrants.

"The core value of the Chicago Refugee Coalition is advocating for the inherant dignity of every individual person, regardless of their background or circumstances or where they came from," said Alisa Bhachu of the Chicago Refugee Coalition.

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Families picked up clothes, backpacks filled with school supplies, food, snacks, and underwent health screenings while learning about resources available to them as they start new lives.

Ericmar Nunez arrived from Venezuela just a few days ago. She told WGN News she heard about the event on social media and wanted help finding work to support herself and her three boys who start school Monday.

Students who traveled to Chicago from Grand Valley State University in Michigan were among some of the volunteers.