New York, NY, August 9, 2024 — The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is thrilled to announce the expansion of the Settle In program’s social media information services to support newly arrived Spanish-speaking refugees in the United States. This expansion will provide a trusted resource for essential information on U.S. resettlement and build on the existing resources available through the program.
First launched in 2017, Settle In is an innovative and award-winning program that serves as a multilingual hub for sharing accurate and up-to-date information to newcomers online. Settle In covers crucial topics tied to refugee resettlement in the United States, such as employment, housing, and education. Settle In first launched their social media initiative to support newly arriving Afghans in 2021 and Ukrainians in 2022. Today, the Settle In Facebook pages have more than 35,000 followers and have reached more than 1.2 million people.
Through the latest expansion of services, Spanish-speaking refugees are now able to access information through content on the Settle In Facebook page or by contacting Settle In via Facebook Messenger. In addition to social media content, Spanish speakers can also receive valuable resettlement information via the Settle In website and mobile app.
Megan Mahoney, Director of the International Rescue Committee’s Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE), said:
“Now, thousands more newcomers will have access to the support they need in their language – empowering them to make educated and informed choices as they navigate their new lives in the United States. Expanding our reach to support the Spanish-speaking refugee community is a big step toward information equity in the resettlement space. We're so proud to partner with the Virtual Reception and Placement program to make that possible.”
About Settle In
Settle In US is an initiative of the Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE), a technical assistance program that connects and supports refugee resettlement staff globally to deliver effective cultural orientation to help newcomers achieve self-sufficiency in the United States. The Spanish-language expansion is paid for by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration. Both Settle In US and CORE are administered by the International Rescue Committee.
Settle In Facebook offers resources and two-way communication in English, Dari, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian. Settle In is not an emergency helpline and does not provide direct services or guidance on the resettlement process for those seeking to come to the United States.