As another caravan of Central American survivors of violence and abuse makes its way to the United States border, here’s what you need to know about the situation.  

In March of 2021, approximately 19,000 unaccompanied children attempted to enter the United States through the border with Mexico. For a small percentage of these children, Florida communities are their new home, where they still face challenges. Many of these children have endured traumatic experiences, and many of them find themselves in a state of limbo as cases clog up a fragile and unprepared immigration system, exacerbating their isolation. 

Meet Sylvia, our Housing Support volunteer! She works with our housing team to help secure financial support for clients. As a daughter of immigrants, Sylvia recalls some challenges her parents faced as they built their lives in Clinton, a small town in New Jersey. "My parents came from Germany in the 1950s, and although they weren't refugees, I saw as a child what it was like for them to try to adapt to a new country," she shared. Learn more about Sylvia and her volunteer work.

Meet Sylvia, our Housing Support volunteer! She works with our housing team to help secure financial support for clients. As a daughter of immigrants, Sylvia recalls some challenges her parents faced as they built their lives in Clinton, a small town in New Jersey. "My parents came from Germany in the 1950s, and although they weren't refugees, I saw as a child what it was like for them to try to adapt to a new country," she shared. Learn more about Sylvia and her volunteer work.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is now offering live, online weekly classes available nationwide on a variety of topics focused on providing remote support to refugees and other immigrants during the pandemic and economic crisis. Visit this page for more information about class times and other resources.

One of the easiest and most impactful ways to welcome refugees to your community is to pull together your networks and social groups through a fundraiser. Now more than ever, individual private support is crucial to the work we do in resettling refugee families and our work with the immigrant community. Raising funds through group efforts with your friends and family is a great help as we head into uncertain times.

Naomi is one of dozens of immigrant, refugee, and new American entrepreneurs that have launched their small businesses with support from Spice Kitchen Incubator. Her business, Prin-Ya Custard, has a unique business model!

Sammiah Ebadi has been volunteering with the IRC in Denver office for 6 months. An immigrant herself, Sammiah has found meaning and pride in helping others who have resettled in the United States.