Amy Richardson, M.P.H

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) recently hosted its 2012 National Consultation conference in Washington, D.C. The conference attracted a record number of refugee service providers, partner agencies, honored guests and attendees who shared best practices and personal stories centered on this year's theme: Transforming Hope into a Brighter Future.

This year the United Nations refugee agency launches a new campaign that features personal stories from refugees to raise awareness about the forcibly displaced and stateless. The campaign will carry the message that "One Refugee Without Hope is too Many." As a welcoming state, Tenneesee has given hope to over 337 refugees in 2012. Nashville becomes a new home for a majority of these displaced people, resettling upwards of 250 refugees this year.