This summer, the New Roots department selected three high school students from refugee families to be a part of the recently created Youth Food Justice Internship.

The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. Domestically, our 29 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency. The Des Moines, IA office was opened in July of 2022, serving more than 200 refugees in its first year.

Cultivating welcome and integration is a collective effort. Together, we are turning hope into action in our communities. Join us in getting to know how IRC Employment Specialist Mawada Ibrahim partners with employers to transform lives.

In March of 2016, a young man and his family arrived in Dallas, Texas from Afghanistan. This month, he landed his dream job as a welder.

The IRC in Atlanta’s Career Development and Adult Education programs, in collaboration with Gwinnett Dental Career Academy (GDCA), recently graduated a second cohort of three former refugees—all young women from Afghanistan—through their Integrated Education and Training (IET) Dental Assistant course, a ten-week program focused on certifying new Americans in dental care and placing them in jobs.

Volunteer groups can provide critical support for newly-arriving families as they rebuild their lives.

The IRC in Tucson’s New Roots program is dedicated to improving food security of refugees and aid in their community integration and self-sufficiency.

CHOMP’s Dinner in the Park was a remarkable display of generosity and community. The event featured produce grown by local refugee gardeners and raised more than $5,000 for the IRC's New Roots program.

Many refugees manage to meet the challenges of adjusting to life in the United States, but for some the trauma they experienced in the past and present become too much to bear. Mental health crisis can be the most pressing issue they face – and the most challenging to address. Fortunately, new refugees in Colorado who are experiencing serious mental health issues have access to the IRC’s Family Stabilization Program