The community is invited to attend a meeting tonight to learn about the influx of refugees in Emporia.
Representatives from government and non-profit organizations will be present Wednesday evening to answer questions about refugees who are here now and those who may be coming.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Little Theater of the Civic Building, 111 East Sixth Ave.
City Manager Matt Zimmerman said he has received confirmation from a number of individuals and groups that plan to attend to answer those questions.
They are: Catholic Charities, represented by Stephen Weitkamp, refugee and migrant services director, and Jan Lewis, executive director; the Emporia School District; Acting Police Chief Michael Lopez and Deputy Chief Mike Williams; the Flint Hills Community Health Center; Tyson Fresh Meats, represented by Roger Brownrigg; State Reps. Don Hill and Peggy Mast; State Sen. Jim Barnett; the Emporia City Commission; and Zimmerman.
“What we’re hearing is there’s a lot of questions and there’s a lot of concerns in the community,” Zimmerman said. “The purpose of the meeting is to address those questions and provide that information, as well as give people a chance to comment.”
No time limit has been set for the meeting.