The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Salt Lake City has dedicated the past two years to helping over 600 Afghan evacuees resettle to Utah after fleeing upheaval in Afghanistan at the end of 2021. The Hilal family is one among the many families who graduated from the IRC programs. Ayazudin and his wife came to the United States with their six kids. They remember packing their life into just four bags and escaping to the U.S. with $100 total in their pockets.

Asha is the mother of three young girls and this year she celebrates her first Mother’s Day in the United States. Many refugee parents, like Asha, have overcome extraordinary circumstances to give their children something we all strive for: the opportunity to live a healthy life, free from harm.

Nabil fled Syria with his parents, brother and two sisters when the war intensified in their home city of Homs. They struggled for four years in neighboring Jordan before being given the opportunity to resettle in the United States in September 2015. Read about Nabil's transition to a new home and community.

Together We Welcome is an ode to tradition and cultures from around the world that arrived with people who now call Utah “home.” Despite hardships and a long journey, refugees and other immigrants contribute to and enrich their new communities in the United States. The installation invites you to learn more about our newest neighbors and listen to their stories.

Global partners have successfully called on the United Nations to adopt an International Day of Play to champion and protect children’s right to play. The International Day of Play will be June 11th, with the inaugural celebration to take place in 2024.

The 21st Annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (Feb 16 - Feb 25) brings fascinating stories to Missoula every year! For individuals looking to learn more about the refugee experience, global conflict, and immigration in the United States, there are many beautiful films to choose from. Here is a list of recommendations from the IRC in Missoula!

Having fled their home countries and languished in limbo for months, or even years, refugees arrive to the United States with next to nothing. Help restart their household by providing a Welcome Kit with everything a family needs. You can do this as an individual, as a family, or even rally a community group together to create many Welcome Kits! 

For individuals migrating to or seeking refuge in the United States, obtaining legal status is often the pivotal moment in their resettlement journey, granting them protection from deportation and access to crucial economic opportunities. Unfortunately, in recent years, the path to legal status has become increasingly challenging. With the immigration backlog at an all-time high and refugee and immigrant rights at stake with the upcoming election, many are left feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about their future.