On February 4, the IRC in Tallahassee’s staff, refugee clients and volunteers joined fellow advocates from the Florida Immigrant Coalition and We Are All America at the Florida State Capitol for the state’s first ever Refugee Advocacy Day.

The City of Turlock aims to provide a warm welcome to new refugee arrivals. On Refugee Civics Day, refugee clients and interpreters of the IRC are invited to engage in conversation about the city's inner workings and practical skills like how to dial 9-1-1. Refugee families who have fled war and persecution are made to feel safe for the first time in many years are they arrive on U.S. soil. Refugees from Afghanistan and Syria participated in the activities at Turlock City Hall and reflected on how far they had come since their initial resettlement and what they hope to achieve with their new chance at life.

Celebrating World Refugee Day

In partnership with Dallas CASA, 16 high school girls resettled in Dallas experienced the magic of prepping for prom season.

In December, IRC in Seattle, King County, and DSHS collaborated to organize a wonderful wrap-up event celebrating an innovative partnership that helped provide temporary housing to hundreds of refugees at the former Silver Cloud Hotel in Redmond.

On Saturday, June 19 the IRC in Tallahassee will celebrate World Refugee Day. The IRC will host a live virtual panel discussion with community partners, refugee families and the Tallahassee community at-large. In addition, the IRC will host an in-person event tentatively planned at Tom Brown Park. The events will highlight the contributions of the refugee community in Tallahassee, and elevated the voices of refugee families, community leaders and volunteers who ensure Big Bend communities continue to be welcoming places for all.

Refugees bring stories of resilience and strength to their resettled country and so much more than they can carry: hopes and dreams, experiences and talents, traditions and heritage. Amira Kherrallah, originally from the Central African Republic, brought all of this with her to the U.S. after she was forced to flee her home. Read about how she overcame obstacles through her passion to serve her community.

Kezia Ahimina has never been to Burundi, the country her parents fled before she was born. But this fall, she may get a “dream” opportunity to finally visit: as a member of the Burundi National Soccer Team. 

Each year, A Taste of the IRC is an opportunity for our community to come together to learn more about the life-saving importance of the refugee resettlement program. For the first time, our California offices—in Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, and Turlock—are hosting a joint fundraiser to highlight our work across the state of California!