Dallas, TX

Refugees are people fleeing violence and persecution—in Syria, Afghanistan, Burma, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, and other countries in crisis. They are seeking safety and the chance to move their lives forward. Learn more>

The United States has a long tradition of sheltering those fleeing conflict and persecution. Once refugees have been identified by the United Nations refugee agency and cleared for resettlement, the U.S. government works with the IRC and eight other national resettlement agencies to help them restart their lives in America. Out of the nearly 20 million refugees in the world, fewer than 1 percent are considered for resettlement worldwide.

Refugees may be placed in a city where they have relatives or friends, or where there’s an established community that shares their language or culture. Other considerations include the cost of living and a
community’s ability to provide medical services. However, as legal U.S. residents, refugees may live in any city and state they choose

Learn more about Refugee Resettlement here.

Our programs in Dallas:

Resettlement and Placement (R&P)

• Meeting the basic needs for food, shelter, education services, health services, and legal rights for newly arrived refugee families. This program is a critical stage of resettling clients, picking clients up from the airport upon arrival, and serving them the 1st 3 months of their arrival in the country. Families are the neediest when they 1st arrive in the country. 

Extended Case Management 

• Providing additional support to the neediest refugee clients to help them achieve self-sufficiency beyond the initial resettlement period. The Extended Case Management Program addresses specific client needs such as literacy, navigating essential services, or overcoming significant life challenges. 

Economic Empowerment 

• Helping refugee clients achieve financial independence and long-term stability through employment and financial coaching services. This program is a critical stage in empowering clients, offering cash assistance, job placement support, and financial literacy coaching within their first six months in the country. Clients also receive guidance on advancing their careers through certifications, education, and specialized pathways. 

Education and Learning for Youth 

• Supporting refugee youth and their families through tailored programs that foster education, cultural integration, and community engagement. Services include connecting families with young children to early childhood resources, guiding older students in developing positive cultural identity, and providing academic support like tutoring and college preparation. The program also assists families with essential needs such as childcare, housing support, and navigating community resources. 

Education and Learning for Adults

• Helping adult clients build essential skills for language fluency and digital literacy to navigate life in the U.S. effectively. English classes are tailored to individual skill levels and offered both in-person and online, providing immersive instruction and progress assessments over a flexible schedule. Digital literacy instruction equips clients with basic computer skills, online safety knowledge, and tools like laptops and internet access, empowering them to apply for jobs, access educational resources, and stay connected. 

Health and Wellness 

• Providing mental health support and addressing food security to promote overall wellness for clients. Services include group therapy, one-on-one counseling, and psychiatric care, with specialized programs for Afghan women and youth to build confidence, learn coping skills, and foster community. Food security initiatives provide access to culturally appropriate foods, workshops on local resources, and community gardens where clients can grow their own produce, empowering them to meet their nutritional needs. 

Immigration Services

• Providing legal services to resettled individuals and qualified community members to help navigate their immigration status. The program assists with applications for green cards, work permits, fiancé visas, and US residency for eligible Cuban entrants, ensuring clients meet legal requirements. Core Immigration is a vital service, working with all IRC clients at some point to assess their status, determine eligibility, and guide them through necessary legal processes. 

Migrant Children Services 

• Providing legal assistance and comprehensive support services to immigrant children in the DFW metroplex, ranging from toddlers to young adults. The program serves children in local shelters, foster care, or with sponsors, helping them navigate the legal system and ensuring their safety and well-being. Our goal is to offer protection, legal relief, and wraparound services to support their success and integration into the community, addressing the trauma they’ve endured while fostering resilience and hope. 

Thanks for you interest in the IRC in Dallas! There are many ways you can get involved with the IRC’s work locally. You can:

• Although we receive public funding for initial resettlement and employment services, the assistance and educational services we provide to refugee families beyond their first few months in the U.S. would not be possible without community support from individual donors such as you. If you'd like to make a meaningful contribution to the IRC Dallas, please visit our Donation page. 
• Create your own DIY peer fundraiser here to engage and involve your community with raising funds for the IRC in Dallas. Visit our Fundraising page to learn more about how you can create your own campaign. You can also use the "Team Fundraiser" feature to fundraise as a team!
• Visit our Volunteer page to learn more about current opportunities and the application process. We have opportunities for both individual and group volunteer opportunities. 
• Each semester we recruit over 20 intern team members to work in a broad range of areas including development, education, employment, extended case management, immigration, and resettlement as well as other direct service programs and administrative support. The success of our programming relies on their assistance and support - interns are essential to achieving our humanitarian mission. Visit our Intern page to get more information on each program and the application process. 
• We invite our partners to organize corporate volunteer opportunities. Visit our Corporate Engagement Opportunities page to learn more. 
• Find out which items IRC collects for refugees in Dallas on our Item Donation page.
• Consider hosting your own Fundraising Campaign (on- or offline). Visit our Spread the Word page to learn more about how you can be an advocate for the IRC. Stay connected via our newsletter, follow us on Facebook, and ask others to do the same!
• Employ refugees, become an advocate, buy produce from refugee gardeners, and more! Visit our Other Opportunities page to see more ways to support the IRC. 

Refugees’ contribution to the metro Dallas region is considerable. Not only do refugees bring with them the skills, talents and educational backgrounds that address the needs of Dallas’ booming economy, they also add enormous cultural capital that encourages entrepreneurship and small business development. As refugees integrate within their communities, they earn wages, pay taxes, start businesses, buy homes and support the local economy.

If you have questions regarding monetary donations, sponsorships, monthly sustaining gifts, or other monetary contributions, please email [email protected] or call (214) 461-9781. Thank you for supporting refugees in Dallas!