In the heart of Northern California—one of the most diverse parts of the United States—volunteers play a critical role helping newcomers welcomed by the IRC.

The IRC in Denver celebrated their annual signature fundraiser Welcome Home last week.

Nathalie Elam is an MSW graduate student at the University of Washington and is also currently enrolled in the Graduate Certificate of Global Health program. They are currently fulfilling their practicum hours as a WARN Advocate Intern and providing case management services to survivors of human trafficking at the IRC in Seattle.

Nearly two and half years after President Obama’s Executive Action offering the opportunity for minors from Central America to access the refugee resettlement program, Hilda Galvez, a Honduran native, cried joyfully as her five-year-old son, Ever, was escorted through the gate at Newark Airport near midnight on March 9, 2017.

Lauren Lehman speaks about her experience volunteering with the IRC as a logistics intern this summer, and about the great responsibility and privilege she feels in setting up apartments for newly arriving refugees and ensuring that they feel safe and welcome in their new homes.