Rescue Them

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More About

• International Rescue Committee
• Amy O'Connor
• Soheyla Rashidyan
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media
• Visual Arts

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Some things the Dallas office of the International Rescue Committee has down pat. In 2005, for example, the refugee assistance agency locally resettled 457 victims of persecution or torture from countries including Liberia, Somalia and Sudan. Some other things, however, they're still working on—like fund-raisers. "We've kind of had some problems with fund-raisers," says Amy O'Connor, a VISTA volunteer and Dallas outreach coordinator. "We haven't even broken even on some." That's something that O'Connor and her fellow rescuers are trying to change with this year's event, Artvocacy 2006. IRC will offer upward of 50 original artworks for sale, along with live music, refreshments and a raffle of prizes such as a bed-and-breakfast weekend getaway. Most pieces are created by displaced artists such as Soheyla Rashidyan, who fled political persecution in Iran and came to Dallas two years ago. The pieces reflect both the culture of the artists and the grim realities they have escaped, but O'Connor is hoping people come to buy rather than just sympathize—last year's event raised a modest $6,000, a total the IRC hopes to more than double this year. Support the IRC 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Latino Cultural Center, 2600 Live Oak St. Tickets are $20, $10 for students. Call 214-461-9781.
Fri., March 10, 6:30 p.m.