ST. LOUIS — Four-hundred new St. Louisans from around the world celebrated their first Thanksgiving Sunday, Nov. 19, at the International Institute of St. Louis (IISTL) where they enjoyed turkey, stuffing, apple pie, live music and more.
The annual First Thanksgiving Dinner event welcomed new arrivals to St. Louis and was a way for them to “experience what is truly American, Thanksgiving,” said Arrey Obenson, president and CEO of IISTL.
“This is really meaningful because it demonstrates that St. Louis is a welcoming community and we’re welcoming them in what is the best of American celebrations,” he said.
Volunteers brought side dishes and helped serve hundreds of people gathered in the gymnasium that was lined with decorated tables. The event included a children’s corner, music by the Gateway Science Academy Orchestra, and Whalid & family, a Thanksgiving prayer by Stanish Stanley and a magic show.
The event also featured a ceremonial turkey cutting by Obenson, Mason Yerly, Oasis International volunteer coordinator, and city officials, including Gilberto Pinela, the new director of the Office of New Americans, and Alderwomen Daniela Velazquez and Alisha Sonnier.
“What we really want people to take away from this event is a sense of community,” said Moji Sidiqi, Afghan Community Development program manager, noting that the purpose of Thanksgiving is for people to come together, share a meal and create memories.
Newcomers from China, Haiti, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine told Obenson they were delighted to be a part of the Thanksgiving Dinner.
“They are enjoying the food; they are enjoying the company; they’re really feeling like this is home for them,” he said.
The IISTL is receiving about 100 new arrivals on a monthly basis with November to end with 150, according to Obenson.
“Our goal between now and the end of the year is just to ensure that we have the capacity to welcome as many people, to settle them and make sure that we put them on a path to success in this community,” he said.
Between now and the end of the next fiscal year, Obenson estimated an influx of 1,000 new arrivals to St. Louis from across the globe.
“We’re having a sustained increase in the number of arrivals in our community,” he said.
IISTL’s Afghan Support Program officials have been traveling to cities across the nation to educate Afghan refugees and immigrants about St. Louis in hopes of them moving.
“We’ve already built a strong foundation here,” Obenson said, noting the establishment of the Afghan Support Program, the Afghan Community Center and the Afghan Chamber of Commerce.
In September, IISTL launched the Latino Outreach Program, an initiative to attract Latin American immigrants to St. Louis by providing financial, housing and employment opportunities.
Program officials also are going across the country to encourage Latinos who have arrived in the U.S. following the Biden Administration’s Humanitarian Parole Program to resettle in St. Louis.
While St. Louis has experienced a decline in population for decades, Obenson said bringing in immigrants will help close the gap, as well as ignite the workforce and grow the economy.
Other community partners that sponsored Sunday’s event were JustServe, Welcome Neighbor STL, Oasis International, Christian Friends of New Americans, Kindness Begins With Me: Immigrant Outreach, Washington University, and Little Angels Foundation.
“Collaboration is key for this community to thrive. We have to walk together with a common purpose of making St. Louis welcoming, prosperous and healthy for everyone,” Obenson said.