Since opening in 1979, the IRC’s locally funded office in Atlanta has welcomed close to 30,000 refugees from over 65 countries to resettle in communities across Georgia. A committed staff of more than 150 professionals—many of whom were refugees themselves—work together with community supporters to assist families in rebuilding their lives.

Jacqueline Uwumeremyi fled from the Democratic Republic of Congo to South Africa because of violence. After facing constant xenophobia because of her refugee status, she and her five children were finally resettled in Boise, Idaho, in 2018. There she was warmly embraced by local church members and other neighbors, including her close friends Pastor Jenny Hirst and neighbor Chris Johnson.