2016 marks the IRC's 40th year in Seattle. Hear remarkable stories from those who have bravely rebuilt their lives in Washington, as well as community members who welcome newcomers to our state. 

This World Refugee Day, and every day, welcome refugees and all that they bring to your community.

Alex Cruz is a shelter specialist at the IRC's welcome center for asylum-seeking families in Phoenix, Arizona. Despite being in constant pain from health issues she’s had since birth, Alex chooses to focus on assisting families looking for safety and protection. “My job is the only reason I get up in the morning,” she says. Read her story.

The 2024 States Lay the Foundation Summit explored the stories that bring us together to introduce, advocate for, enact, and implement legislation to support refugees and new Americans as they rebuild their lives in the United States.

When he was just 15 years old, Tefere Gebre arrived in the United States alone as a refugee. Today he is the executive vice president of the AFL-CIO, the world's largest federation of labor unions. In this AFL-CIO video, he describes his harrowing flight from violence in Ethiopia and explains why it is important for America to welcome refugees. Learn more about his story.

Since opening in 1979, the IRC’s locally funded office in Atlanta has welcomed close to 30,000 refugees from over 65 countries to resettle in communities across Georgia. A committed staff of more than 150 professionals—many of whom were refugees themselves—work together with community supporters to assist families in rebuilding their lives. In this video, some of them share their stories.

Through Ahlan Simsim, or “Welcome Sesame,”  the International Rescue Committee and Sesame Workshop are bringing early childhood development and playful learning to children—like Ayla in Jordan—who are affected by conflict and crisis in the Middle East.

When forced to flee their homes, refugees can only carry so much in their arms, but they bring so many intangible gifts to their new communities: hopes and dreams, experiences and talents, traditions and family stories, resilience and determination.