The Rian Immigrant Center's Solas Awards Celebration

goes virtual!

We hope you will support our virtual and global Solas Awards Celebration on October 15th at 6:30 p.m. Join us from the comfort of your own home and choose a sponsorship level or donate an amount of your choice. Your support is greatly appreciated.  Stay safe and stay healthy!

We are less than 3 weeks away from this year's Solas Celebration and we have planned a very exciting, global and virtual program. 

This year, we are pleased to present the Solas Award to Des Mac Intyre, Chair and CEO of Mellon, Irish immigrant and long-time friend of Rian Immigrant Center; and philanthropists Atsuko and Larry Fish. The Fish Family Foundation has supported thousands of people along the path to citizenship and is providing emergency relief to immigrant families impacted by COVID-19.   

The Solas Humanitarian award will be presented to the iuventa10 crew for their extraordinary efforts to rescue migrants in the Mediterranean Sea. At a time when the human rights of those seeking refuge are so often violated, Rian stands in solidarity with the crew, recognizing our common mission.

Rian’s Courage award will be awarded to Ngozi Okoye who Rian helped to obtain a green card, and begin a new life in the US. Ngozi is an immigrant from Nigeria who has shown tremendous courage by overcoming personal challenges.

We will have a special musical performance by Saint Sister, the brilliant Irish duo who were voted “Best Irish Act” by the readers of The Irish Times. Award winning poet and human rights advocate Carolyn Forché will recite a recent poem. We are also honored to be joined by Irish Consul General to New England Laoise Moore, British Consul General to New England Peter Abbott, and Director/Counsellor of the Northern Ireland Bureau Andrew Elliott.