Angelica did not want to take her family and risk the violence and poverty she had fled in Mexico, nor did she wish to continue living in the shadows of being undocumented in the U.S. She thought the only other option would be to tear their family apart with one parent living on each side of the border.

The IRC in Phoenix is committed to bringing our refugee clients from harm to home. As a part of that commitment, we provide them with necessities – such as clothing and household items – they will need to start rebuilding their lives here. To do this, the IRC relies on donated items from community partners that are passed into the hands of our clients free of charge either through our Resettlement Shop or as part of an initial apartment setup.

Online Youth Tutors Amy and Raquel share about the relationships they've gained and the growth they have seen volunteering with students.

Ali Amry prepares to launch his food business with support from classes offered by the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City, including a Social Media Marketing Workshop series. Since then, he has learned about promotional email strategy and built out a social media presence. 

The IRC opened its locally-funded office in Miami in 1960 in response to the Cuban Revolution and, over the decades, has served over 25,000 refugees, asylees, survivors of human trafficking and other vulnerable populations in South Florida. Due to nationally reduced refugee admissions, the IRC ended its refugee resettlement program in Miami in 2018. Although its resettlement program concluded in 2018, the IRC in Miami continues to serve the community by providing holistic, trauma-informed services to survivors of human trafficking and unaccompanied children and their families.

Thanks to a generous donation, the IRC in Salt Lake City brings early childhood development kits to young refugees helping them develop crucial cognitive skill through play.

Whether applying for school or jumping into career opportunities, high school seniors participating in the IRC in Salt Lake City’s college & career readiness programming are learning to play to their strengths.

Elizabeth and Angelina, former refugees who participated in the IRC in Salt Lake City’s down payment assistance program, find security and autonomy in becoming home owners.

Volunteer groups can provide critical support for newly-arriving families as they rebuild their lives.