After fleeing violence in Iraq with her young family, Taghreed had trouble coping with life as a refugee. "Do something you love," suggested her mother. So Taghreed started baking, finding comfort in the familiar scents of spices from home. The IRC helped her begin a baking career, and now she works at a popular pastry shop near where she lives in Seattle. Her son Yousif says he's proud of his courageous mom.

The International Rescue Committee's documentary film, "Escaping Syria" won a Social Good Award for Best Episode with a Social Good Theme. The IRC's "My life has been transformed" video, featuring actor Patrick Stewart, also received an honorable mention for Best Spot (Over 30 seconds). The three-year civil war in Syria has claimed the lives of more than 190,000 people.