During last week’s trip to the Bay Area, IRC President and CEO, David Miliband, was able to spend a couple hours at the Oakland office with the Northern California team. First, David gave a brief global and national update to the group. Oakland staff were asked to share with David their roles and recent client experiences. Employment Specialist, Nabeil Lemar, shared a story of helping a newly arrived SIV from Afghanistan to apply for jobs with his degree in computer programming. David spent time with the staff answering questions regarding gender equity, community engagement, partnerships with the tech industry, and some of the upcoming challenges and opportunities for the IRC immigration program.

ALT TEXT
David Miliband addresses IRC in Oakland staff on April 9, 2018.
Photo: Koby Heramil | IRC

While visiting, David helped honor Amir Music, Northern California’s Immigration Manager, who was retiring after 21 years with the IRC. David presented Amir with an award for recognition of outstanding service to the IRC. David conducted a mini exit interview with Amir, asking about his time with the IRC and what he enjoyed most about his job. Amir said that working with the community was his greatest joy. Even though he had been employed by the IRC for 21 years, Amir considered it to be actually 23 years of service, since he was originally resettled by the IRC in 1995 in San Francisco

ALT TEXT
David Miliband presents award to Amir Music in recognition of outstanding service to the IRC.
Photo: Koby Heramil | IRC

The IRC’s Northern California leadership team then took David on a virtual tour of all four offices to give a deeper dive into innovative programs piloted in the Northern California region. Each of the site managers highlighted a program of excellence in their office, including HOPE Anti-Trafficking services in Sacramento, Civic Engagement with the Mayor’s office in Turlock, Women’s Career Development in San Jose, and Psychosocial Programming in community settings in Oakland. The Northern California team also spoke of its regional model that provides Immigration services at all four sites, with two outreach specialists and three Department of Justice accredited representatives. Partnerships with organizations like the New Americans Campaign have allowed the Northern California team to increase the number of naturalization applications completed. More than 50% of immigration applications are now completed through volunteer-staffed workshops, some of which were completed during corporate engagement days with Lyft and Airbnb.

The Northern California Executive Director, Karen Ferguson, wrapped up the presentation by highlighting three projects piloted in Northern California: Vision Project, HOME and Soft Landing Fund. Karen shared some of the successes with each pilot. The Vision Project photos were around the room highlighting 5 of the 25 young female participants engaged to date. HOME has supported 22 families in Oakland and is now rolling out across the country to other IRC offices. And Soft Landing supports refugee families in Oakland and San Jose with donated funds for their security deposit and assistance with their first three months of rent. The Nor Cal office hopes to raise $75,000 this year to support approximately 35 families with temporary rental assistance to give them a softer landing when they arrive to the high-cost Bay Area. We have seen the immense impact that this small gift can have on helping refugees move from surviving to thriving in their first 90 days here.

ALT TEXT
David Miliband joins IRC in Oakland Staff and Northern California Leadership team in the Oakland office.
Photo: Koby Heramil | IRC Oakland

Thank you, David, for being a champion for our local offices, and we welcome you to stop by next time you’re in the Bay!