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 newcomers arrive in the U.S. with a wealth of professional skills and experience, but starting one’s career over again in a new country can be an overwhelming process. Career Connect is a new IRC program helping refugees take steps toward re-entering professions they were forced to leave behind.

Part two in a three-part series, these deep dives better explain the process of refugee resettlement in Kansas. In December, we covered the basics of who refugees are and initial resettlement in the U.S. This month, the focus is on refugee resettlement in Kansas during the first 24 months after arrival, including the efforts of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Kansas to help families positively integrate and thrive in their new community.

The IRC in Atlanta was honored to host U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Brian P. McKeon, and Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, Nancy Izzo-Jackson, for a first-of-its-kind visit by the U.S. State Department to a local refugee resettlement community in honor of World Refugee Day!

Each year on June 20—World Refugee Day—the world commemorates the strength, courage, and resilience of millions of refugees.

Earlier this month, was the first time in a few years that New Roots representatives from five IRC offices were able to convene, in person, in Arizona for a few days. In the Spring of 2020, the IRC was the subgrantee of a grant awarded by the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED). This grant funded a three year project called, Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program (BFRD).

As a way of tackling the ongoing displacement crisis, the IRC is focusing on community engagement to help with the integration of resettled refugees into our local communities, through a new Community Sponsorship model called the HOME (Housing, Orientation, Mentoring, Education) program.

As a way of tackling the ongoing displacement crisis and issues faced by these clients, the IRC is focusing on community engagement to help with the integration of resettled refugees into our local communities, through a new Co-Sponsorship Program. 

Early solutions planning encompasses steps to build the self-reliance and resilience of refugees and host communities, as well as prepare refugees for future durable solutions.