Franklin County Marks World Refugee Day With Welcoming Resolution

Franklin County Board of Commissioners 

Thirty-two years ago, Nadia Kasvin arrived in the United States from Ukraine with hope and uncertainty in equal measure. On June 16, 2026, she stood before the Franklin County Board of Commissioners as Chair of the Franklin County Welcoming Advisory Council. 

The Board adopted a ceremonial resolution at the June 16 General Session recognizing World Refugee Day, observed annually on June 20. Kasvin was joined by fellow council members Guadalupe Velasquez and Kim Emch. 

In her remarks, Kasvin described Franklin County's refugee and immigrant community as a working part of the county's economic and civic fabric. Refugees in Franklin County are business owners, healthcare professionals, educators, and taxpayers. They are raising families and starting businesses. The Welcome Plan and the Welcoming Advisory Council, she said, reflect a county-level commitment that goes beyond symbolic recognition. 

Kasvin also acknowledged the current political environment directly. For many refugee families in Franklin County, she said, this year's World Refugee Day arrives during a time of uncertainty, making the message of belonging and welcome more important, not less. 

Commissioner Boyce, who helped establish what was originally the New Americans Advisory Council, thanked the council for its evolution into a substantive advisory body. He called on the council to revive its annual public forums, which he described as opportunities for the broader community to understand the diversity that shapes quality of life in Central Ohio. He also urged continued investment in distributing factual information, noting that the political climate can distort reality. Commissioner O'Grady drew on his own family history, noting that his grandfather immigrated from Ireland at a time when signs on windows read "no Irish need apply." 

Commissioner Crawley acknowledged the ongoing work of DCA Withers with Greater Columbus World Affairs, an organization that engages youth in conversations about immigrant and refugee experiences. 

Franklin County offices will be closed Friday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. The Board also noted the holiday during the session.