One of the most riveting and controversial crises of the 21st century is the topic of our January 21 program for the Council's Meridian: Global Young Professionals.

With the help of two people who work to give refugees an opportunity to make a life in America, the Meridians will explore the nuances, the needs and the sometimes brutal truth of what it’s like to be a refugee coming to the United States.

The program is titled "Understanding the Global Crisis." Our speakers are people who become involved with refugees from Latin America, the Middle East and around the globe after they find themselves in a new land with unfamiliar laws and customs.

Irena Tsoustas is an employment specialist with the International Rescue Committee and Adelina Trevino Bradshaw is an AmeriCorps Cultural Integration Associate.

Both will discuss their experiences and outline ways for Young Professionals to become involved with helping refugees resettle in North Texas.

The Meridians, also, will hear about the progress of families they have helped through the years in the annual Adopt-a-Family initiative.