Voices Unheard: Refugee and Immigrants Advocacy through Arts
Voices Unheard is an innovative initiative that harnesses the transformative power of art to amplify the voices and stories of refugees and immigrants. The program serves as a dynamic platform for advocating for the rights, dignity, and inclusion of displaced communities through diverse artistic expressions. By creating meaningful opportunities for self-expression, collaboration, and community engagement, Wide World for Refugee uses Voices Unheard to challenge stereotypes, foster empathy, and inspire lasting social change.
Through this advocacy program, participants engage in creative mediums such as poetry, storytelling, visual arts, and performance to share their lived experiences and perspectives. These artistic expressions not only empower individuals but also build bridges of understanding within the broader community.
Program Growth and Impact
In 2024, Wide World for Refugee successfully launched a pilot of the Voices Unheard program in partnership with Foster High School and Kent-Meridian High School. The pilot phase was completed with strong participation and meaningful outcomes, providing valuable feedback that helped refine and strengthen the program’s structure and delivery.
Building on this success, in 2026, Wide World for Refugee secured a grant from 4Culture to expand and strengthen the program.
With this support, Voices Unheard is now reaching eight schools across King County. The expanded program offers a wide range of workshops, including painting, drawing, dance, storytelling, and poetry. Participating students also receive gift cards as a form of encouragement and recognition for their creativity, commitment, and engagement.
Empowering Artists and Building Community
Beyond its impact on students, the program creates meaningful opportunities for local refugee and immigrant artists. By engaging them as workshop facilitators, Voices Unheard provides a sustainable income stream while supporting their transition from passionate creatives to professional teaching artists.
This initiative not only nurtures the next generation of artists but also empowers current artists and cultural bearers. It reinforces the idea that their talents are not confined to their homes or communities—they belong in classrooms, institutions, and public spaces where they can educate, inspire, and lead change.
Get Involved
Voices Unheard is more than a program—it is a movement for inclusion, creativity, and social impact. We invite you to be part of this journey:
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Partner with us to bring workshops to schools and communities
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Support the program through sponsorships or donations
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Join as an artist or volunteer and help inspire the next generation
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Advocate with us by amplifying the voices and stories of refugees and immigrants
Together, we can create spaces where every voice is heard, valued, and celebrated.
Empowerment: Provide refugees and immigrants with a platform to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations through artistic expression, empowering them to reclaim their narratives and be heard.
Awareness: Raise public awareness about the issues faced by refugees and immigrants, dispel myths, and challenge negative stereotypes through thought-provoking and impactful artworks.
Advocacy: Advocate for policies and actions that promote the rights, well-being, and integration of refugees and immigrants into host communities, fostering a more inclusive and welcoming society.
Community Engagement: Engage local communities, artists, activists, and stakeholders in meaningful dialogue, collaborations, and events to foster understanding, empathy, and solidarity.
Words of Wisdom
The Tacoma Refugee Choir is the organization's main program, providing a sense of family and support for its members. The Harmony After Hours program invites the community to join in on the communal bonding through music. Their school program aims to support local students through staff-led song teaching and active engagement. The organization's outreach efforts have reached over 50,000 people through two major concerts and various performances in the past eight years.