Announcement
Beacons of Hope awardees and IRC staff
Photo: Joseph Fraser/IRC staff
On Thursday, June 20th, 2024, the IRC in Silver Spring celebrated its first annual Beacons of Hope Gala in celebration of World Refugee Day. With over 200 guests in attendance, the event brought together refugees and the individuals and organizations who support immigrants who serve as beacons of hope in Maryland.
Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink, keynote speaker of the evening, shared her support for local refugees and the work her office has done to promote inclusivity for Prince George’s and Montgomery County’s newest neighbors. “We are an extremely diverse district county where many newcomers find their home. And that is a huge part of what makes this area a really wonderful place to live.”
Councilmember Kristin Mink delivers the keynote address at the Beacons of Hope Gala
Photo: Joseph Fraser/IRC staff
To honor Sheppie Abramowitz, the IRC vice president and refugee advocate who passed away in April 2024, her son Michael Abramowitz presented the Sheppie Abramowitz Community Leader Award to property manager David Mendick for his decades-long dedication to house newly resettled refugees in Maryland.
Michael Abramowitz presents the Sheppie Abramowitz Community Leader Award
Photo: Joseph Fraser/IRC staff
We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to our sponsors for their support of the Beacons of Hope Gala: MJ Morgan, Nicole and David Mordecai, Paul R. Monsees and Cathy Ventrell-Monsees, David Mendick, WEI Construction, Mariangela Taylor, Sumaya Soliman, Michele Hentz.