We are excited to announce our upcoming film series at the tempe Historical Museum! Clandestine acts for survival, an unforgiving immigration system, longing for family and identity, the hardships of belonging to a new culture, and hope found through music and brotherhood – these are some of the themes surrounding refugee communities that audiences will observe in the films selected for screening at COAR’s “Thoughts 4 Thursday” Refugee Film Series this February and March at the Tempe Historical Museum. Films will be on the following Thursday nights: * February 21, 2008 – "Don’t Fence Me In":getinvolved/calendar/2008/02/21/freefilmscreeningdontfenceme, Director Ruth Gumnit, 2004 * February 28, 2008 – "Sentenced Home":getinvolved/calendar/2008/02/28/freefilmscreeningsentencedhome, Directors Nicole Newnham, David Grabias, 2005 * March 6, 2008 – "Saigon, USA":getinvolved/calendar/2008/03/06/freefilmscreeningsaigonusa, Director Lindsey Jang, 2004 * March 13, 2008 – Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Directors Zach Niles, Banker White 2005 (collaboration with the award-winning documentary series "P.O.V.":www.pbs/org/pov This event is a collaboration between the Tempe Historical Museum and Community Outreach & Advocacy for Refugees (COAR), a Tempe based and youth founded non-profit organization supporting resettled refugees as they rebuild positive, self-sufficient lives. By exploring refugee community histories and identities, the film series seeks to initiate dialogue and increase awareness of the issues that confront Southeast Asian refugee communities, as well as other refugee communities throughout the United States. This series also seeks to support the Museum’s current exhibit, “A Proud Journey Home: Cambodian, Laotian and Vietnamese Communities in Arizona”. COAR has organized four films to be screened every Thursday starting February 21, 2008. Regional hor d’eouvres and beverages will be served. Each screening is followed by a guest speaker, cultural presentation, and discussion. This film series is free and open to the public. For more info, please follow the links above to each of the films or contact Tanny Men at tmen@coarweb.org press release attached.

Help refugees in Arizona. Engage in intercultural exchange. Become a Volunteer Anchor! "Click here":forms/volunteeranchorapplication to apply! Refugees flee persecution in their home country, persecution based on who they are, and what they believe. They are invited by the federal government to rebuild their lives in the United States. COAR supports refugees as they rebuild positive, self-sufficient lives. Over 2,000 refugees arrive in Arizona every year from all over the globe. This year, COAR is working with refugees from Burma, Burundi, Iraq, Iran and Eritrea. You can help! Become a Volunteer Anchor, providing mentorship and friendship to recently arrived refugee families here in Phoenix. Help refugees adjust to life in the United States by practicing English, visiting local sites of interest, and exchanging ideas. Volunteer Anchors work in pairs so apply with a friend, or we can assign you a partner. Email Vidula Patki at vpatki@coarweb.org with any questions! Get Involved. Apply Now! http://www.coarweb.org/forms/volunteeranchorapplication