World Refugee Day Chicago
2023 Co-Chairs
Rebecca Socha
(Co-Chair)
Rebecca Socha is the Service to the Armed Forces and International Services Regional Specialist for the American Red Cross Illinois Chapter, overseeing multiple programs, including International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Restoring Family Links (RFL). The American Red Cross provides public education on international humanitarian law, which is a set of rules that restrict the means and methods of warfare while protecting civilians, prisoners of war and wounded soldiers. As part of the Geneva Conventions, all countries are tasked with educating their population about IHL. The Restoring Family Links program provides services to local families who are separated internationally by war, disaster, migration and other humanitarian crises. This work is accomplished through cooperation with the global Red Cross network. Rebecca has had a passion for international human rights and international relations since college, participating for multiple years in Model United Nations and at the National Model United Nations conference in New York City, and volunteers at her alma mater, Benedictine University, assisting with their Model United Nations program and their annual high school Model United Nations conference.
(Co-Chair)
Rebecca Socha is the Service to the Armed Forces and International Services Regional Specialist for the American Red Cross Illinois Chapter, overseeing multiple programs, including International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Restoring Family Links (RFL). The American Red Cross provides public education on international humanitarian law, which is a set of rules that restrict the means and methods of warfare while protecting civilians, prisoners of war and wounded soldiers. As part of the Geneva Conventions, all countries are tasked with educating their population about IHL. The Restoring Family Links program provides services to local families who are separated internationally by war, disaster, migration and other humanitarian crises. This work is accomplished through cooperation with the global Red Cross network. Rebecca has had a passion for international human rights and international relations since college, participating for multiple years in Model United Nations and at the National Model United Nations conference in New York City, and volunteers at her alma mater, Benedictine University, assisting with their Model United Nations program and their annual high school Model United Nations conference.
Nathaniel Van Wienen
(Co-Chair)
(Co-Chair)
Nathaniel is the Program Advisor for CMAA's Adult Education Consortium. Nathaniel entered adult education through refugee resettlement, teaching ESL at Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago (ECAC). Since taking on the Program Advisor role in 2019, Nathaniel has supported all Consortium Partners across the city, brainstorming with teachers and coordinators about how to improve classes, expand services, and best meet the needs of the students. Nathaniel grew up in a family spanning diverse religious communities, motivating him to pursue Islamic Studies in college and conduct research on racism and discrimination against Muslim immigrants in Belgium. After moving to Chicago, Nathaniel joined the organizing team at The Resurrection Project (TRP). In Pilsen, Little Village, and Back of the Yards, Nathaniel facilitated a novel GOTV effort that empowered undocumented immigrants to drive election turnout. With the National Partnership for New Americans, he conducted research and coordinated interstate advocacy in response to national workforce legislation. ESL brought Nathaniel back to a love of languages: he speaks French fluently and has also studied Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, Vietnamese, and Dutch. Nathaniel is a pianist and singer, neighborhood organizer, and circle-keeper in training.
WRD Chicago 2023 Executive Team
Moshood Olanrewaju – advisor, Soccer Chair
Shannon Ericson – advisor, Deputy Treasurer
Cara Hare – Secretary
Collins Oteba – Marketing Chair
Shalaka Kulkarni - Entertainment/Arts Co-Chair
Shawn Lent - Entertainment/Arts Co-Chair
Alyssa Wilson – Refugee Advisory Council Liaison
Shannon Ericson – advisor, Deputy Treasurer
Cara Hare – Secretary
Collins Oteba – Marketing Chair
Shalaka Kulkarni - Entertainment/Arts Co-Chair
Shawn Lent - Entertainment/Arts Co-Chair
Alyssa Wilson – Refugee Advisory Council Liaison
Artwork by Skye Bennett