© Rachel Peet
On Saturday, April 6th, 2024, Elena’s Light proudly hosted the “Lighting the Future: Annual Ceremony” at the Yale University Presidents’ Room in the Schwarzman Center. This event celebrated the resilience, achievements, and leadership within the refugee and immigrant community in New Haven, honoring three extraordinary women for their enduring contributions and community impact.
The 2024 honorees, Nour Al Zouabi, Azhar Ahmed, and Hossna Samadi, were recognized for their remarkable dedication to improving the lives of those around them. Their inspiring stories of perseverance and leadership resonated with attendees, serving as a testament to the strength and potential of New Haven’s refugee and immigrant community.
“When we share our stories, we inspire others to embrace their own journey with courage and heart,” said Fereshteh Ganjavi, Founder and Executive Director of Elena’s Light.
© Rachel Peet
The evening featured a stunning performance by Yale’s RedHot & Blue, adding a vibrant touch to the celebration. Guests also enjoyed a beautifully catered meal, creating an atmosphere of connection and joy.
Elena’s Light extends its deepest gratitude to its generous sponsors, whose support made this event possible: the Yale Office of New Haven Affairs, CT Humanities, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Jewish Family Services of Greenwich, Dodd Impact (UConn), IRIS – Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, CRIW – Collective for Refugee & Immigrant Women’s Wellbeing, ECHO Associates, The New Haven Arts Council, The Yale Macmillan Center – Program on Refugees, Forced Displacement, and Humanitarian Responses, YULAA – Yale Undergraduate Legal Aid Association, the Cinemat, and RedHot & Blue.
The “Lighting the Future” series is a vital platform for recognizing individual excellence and strengthening connections within the refugee network, university campuses, and the wider community.
This was our first year hosting this event, and it was a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of coming together to celebrate shared humanity and the enduring spirit of refugees and immigrants. We look forward to bringing this event back in April 2025. If you would like to be involved, please reach out to info@elenaslight.org.
YouTube Videos from the evening:
About Elena’s Light
Staff Video
