The Office of Refugee Resettlement held its 2011 National Consultation at the Omni Shoreham hotel in Washington D.C. on August 1 and 2. 

This consultation is designed to share ideas to help refugees from different countries achieve self-sufficiency as they resettle in the United States. 

Discussion topics included employment services, English language instruction, vocational training, case management, and short-term cash and medical assistance.

There was particular interest in hearing directly from refugees, their experiences with the new culture, the challenges they are facing, and the solutions they are finding.

Amber took a box of bags from our local weavers to sell at the conference, as well as information cards and the "Woven In Exile" sign in the picture below.  He sold several bags that helped our local weavers.