WALK with Refugees and Immigrants returns in 2018 

For more information, go to here. 

Details for 2018: 

Sunday, August 19th, 2018 

• * The walk will start at 11 am from Gateway Discovery Park (10520 NE Halsey St, Portland, OR 97220)
• * Gathering and speakers start at 10:30 am at Gateway Discovery Park
• * At the end of the walk, enjoy diverse music, food and other family activities at Knott Park while also getting the chance to hear stories from Portland’s refugees and
•    immigrants from 12 – 4 pm.  
• * For a map of the 2018 route, click here. 

Walk for Refugees and Immigrants at Sunday Parkways Outer NE (August 20, 2017)

Welcome to Portland. Our population is shy of 600,000 and we are one of the fastest growing cities in the US. We are also one of the hottest destination spots for Immigrants and Refugees from across the globe. Statistically speaking: Oregon resettles more than 15,000 international migrants, and 11,000 interstate migrants, per year (Migration Policy Institute. 2010-2011). Portland proper resettles about 100 refugees (international migrants fleeing persecution) per month with about 1100-1400 new arrivals annually. Almost half of each Portland public school classroom goes home to an ethnic minority family (

PPS Oct 2012) and 1-in-5 Portlanders are foreign-born. Portlanders are from around the US, territories, Vietnam, Britain, India, Mexico, Somali, Iraq, Russia, France, Ethiopia, Peru, China, Korean, El Salvador, Ukraine, Afghanistan and more. We are the 52nd biggest US city but we’re ranked 11th in refugee settlement. (State of Oregon DHS Refugee Programs Office, 2012).

In sum, we are well known across the country and the globe for our compassion. People are drawn to Portland for the same reasons they have always been from the very beginning: for the chance of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It also helps that moving to Portland means access to beautiful green spaces, a car-free or car-light lifestyle, and the introduction to tons of wonderful welcoming people.

In celebration of our New Portlander community, Parks for New Portlanders is partnering up with Sunday Parkways to organize a Walk with Refugees and Immigrants.  Community members and elected[GA1]  leaders will gather at East Portland Neighborhood Office and participate in a one-mile walk alongside our refugee and immigrant neighborhoods in a show of support. In partnership with refugee and immigrant organizations, this event plans to recognize the unique experiences and contributions of new Portlanders, of all ages and backgrounds by honoring seniors and providing school supplies for children.

Come join us in celebrating Portland and to welcome our New Portlanders!

• The walk will start at 11 am from East Portland Neighborhood Office (near Hazelwood HydroPark - 1017 NE 117th, Portland, OR 97220)

• At the end of the walk, enjoy diverse music, food and other family activities at Knott Park while also getting the chance to hear refugee and immigrant stories from 12 – 4 pm.  

We invite all neighbors, faith-based organizations, local businesses, board members, neighborhood associations, and non-profits to join us on this walk to inspire and continue a compassionate, generous, and welcoming Portland! If interested, please contact Som Subedi at 503-260-2487.

Living History Project  

In collaboration with The Immigrant Story project will be recording short "Living History" segments from 10 AM - 4:30 pm at the East Portland Neighborhood Office (1017 NE 117th, Portland, OR 97220) featuring stories of Immigrants and Refugees. Make sure to stop by and tell your story!