Announcement
Staff of the IRC in Kansas.
Photo: Megan Webb/IRC
Thanks to your incredible support in 2019, 618 refugee and immigrant community members received the services they need to thrive here in Kansas. Take a look back at some highlights of our work together from this past year.
You provided 5,061 volunteer hours. You taught classes, set up homes for families, tutored teens,provided family mentorship, helped complete and file mountains of paperwork and much, much more.
Due to your advocacy, we fought to uphold the United States’ legacy as a place of refuge for those fleeing violence and persecution. We raised awareness of the harm caused by policies keeping families apart. We grew Congressional support for the GRACE Act, which would ensure that no fewer than 95,000 refugees are welcomed into our communities each year across the U.S.
You helped welcome 209 people to our community throughout the year, from places like Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Eritrea. You banded together to gather household goods and amenities for newcomers' long-term homes.
By sharing your time and resources, you helped 45 women and men find their first jobs in the United States. You helped 131 more advance their careers through mentorship and professional development opportunities
You helped 119 newly-arrived youth enroll in school – for many, after years of inconsistent educational experiences.
And finally, you helped nearly 121 refugee and immigrant community members become permanent residents or naturalized U.S. citizens.
While there is much to celebrate from the past year, your partnership and support remain vital as we head into 2020. Together, we have the power to make the U.S. a safe haven for those fleeing conflict and persecution. By raising our voices, volunteering our time, and donating what resources we can, we work toward a more welcoming and inclusive Kansas. We work toward a future where all families, no matter their country of origin or religious beliefs, have the opportunity to thrive in our community.