Born in the ethnically diverse and politically complicated country of Myanmar, also known as Burma, Boo’s family made the brave decision to cross the border into Thailand in 1982.

Our volunteers and interns are talented, enthusiastic, and vital to the success of our programs. Get to know a few of our current volunteers and interns!

The IRC in LA booth included staff members from Resettlement, Early Employment, Citizenship and Immigration departments. Refugees, asylees and immigrants asked staff and volunteers about the IRC’s mission, its office services and citizenship and financial literacy workshops. The IRC in LA is a founding member of the RFLA and helped to organize the World Refugee Day event.

The IRC's Manufacturing Works Career Course prepares refugees for high-paying careers in manufacturing.

Emily Tomsick, the IRC in Silver Spring's summer anti-trafficking intern describes her experience.

Umeeda Shalizi, 23, gives the impression that she’s going places and that she will not be hindered by the places she’s been.

The IRC in Phoenix is partnering with the IRC in San Diego to bring the annual Refugee Film Festival to the Arizona community! We're bringing award-winning documentary film and engaging conversation to your home throughout the month of April through this virtual event. Films will be available to stream starting the Saturday before each live Q&A event, which will take place Wednesdays April 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th at 6 pm.  Join us for a celebration of international film, with education on issues facing displaced people and inspiration to get involved. Funds raised through this event will support the work of the IRC in Phoenix. 

Immigrants and refugees make up a sizeable minority of businesses for California and the Turlock/Modesto region. In that vein, the IRC in Turlock/Modesto is spotlighting refugee-owned businesses here in the Central Valley. The following is an interview with Baktash Rafiqyaar, owner of Mr. Gil's Market & Grill in Modesto.