After years of upheaval and uncertainty, refugee & immigrant girls in the United States are ready to explore their path in life. Vision Not Victim supports these young women to envision their future and redefine what their communities and they themselves thought possible. Run by the IRC previously in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Jordan, the IRC in Northern California piloted the program in the United States over April's spring break in Oakland.

From supporting refugee-owned businesses to purchasing a warm winter coat from an IRC wish list, your support can make a huge difference this holiday season.

In February, refugee youth in the IRC in Silver Spring’s After-School Program learned the meaning and importance of civic engagement by participating in their first ever community service project at A Wider Circle in Silver Spring, MD. Youth toured the organization’s facilities, learned about the services it provides and people it serves, and then spent the morning helping with different projects, such as sorting books, folding clothes and moving furniture.

Highlights, data, helpful resources and the IRC’s response to current U.S. refugee and asylum issues from the IRC’s Global Policy and Advocacy team.

I am honored to have joined the IRC as the new Executive Director for Northern California. The scale of our efforts in the region last year -- resettling  roughly Afghan humanitarian parolees since August 2021, alongside another 448 refugees and SIVs since October 2021. 

In October, more than 200 newly arrived refugees received winter wear as part of the IRC in Salt Lake City’s Warm Welcome Winter Clothing Drive. 

In June, the IRC in Atlanta’s Community Health Response Manager, Dr. Omar Aziz, was invited to present at the annual North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC), held in Cleveland, Ohio. The NARHC is recognized as the preeminent conference destination for healthcare and resettlement professionals working with refugee populations, with approximately 700 attendees from across the continent.

This summer, the IRC in Tallahassee launched a new, volunteer-led Youth program to help middle-and high-school refugee students from the Democratic Republic of Congo learn English and better adjust to their new home. The response from community members has been incredible!