Holiday Music Brings Refugee Families Together at 2021 Community Celebration

Date: December 16, 2021

Time: 4:00 PM

Location: UPAC Neighborhood Enterprise Center, 5296 University Ave., Suite A-B, San Diego, CA 92105

SAN DIEGO — Refugee children and families gathered on December 16 for a festive community holiday celebration featuring live music, holiday songs, and an opportunity for volunteers and families to spend time together. Young musicians performed familiar seasonal favorites on cello and violin, adding music and warmth to the gathering.

The performance created a natural way for young volunteers to connect with children and families from different backgrounds. Children gathered around the musicians, families enjoyed the holiday songs, and the afternoon demonstrated how something as simple as sharing music could help people feel welcomed and connected.

The celebration also became an important early connection to San Diego’s refugee community. Experiences like this helped inspire what would later become ROOTS, the Refugee Children’s Organization for Tech and Science, and a longer-term commitment to supporting refugee youth through STEM camps, STEM Days, educational field trips, book drives, benefit concerts, and other community programs.

About ROOTS

ROOTS, the Refugee Children’s Organization for Tech and Science, is a youth-led volunteer organization dedicated to expanding access to STEM education and enrichment opportunities for refugee children in San Diego. Through partnerships with refugee-serving organizations, schools, universities, and community institutions, ROOTS organizes free STEM camps, STEM Days, educational field trips, book drives, benefit concerts, and other programs designed to build curiosity, confidence, friendship, and community among young learners.