International Rescue Committee (IRC)

IRC Programs in Salt Lake City

Resettlement

Meeting the basic needs for food, shelter and legal rights in the early, critical stages of resettlement.

Reception & Placement: Through a partnership with the Department of State, the IRC assists over 10,000 refugees to resettle in the U.S. every year.   IRC staff and volunteers meet refugees at the airport and provide initial housing, furnishings, food, and clothing.   Additional services include employment assistance, health and social service referrals, vocational training, English-language classes, and orientation to their new community.  The IRC helps refugees to move towards self-sufficiency and integration in 22 U.S. cities.
 
Extended Case Management: Case management services are provided to all clients for their first two years in Utah.  Services include regular home visits, needs assessments, crisis management, and supporting refugees to become self sufficient in the areas of health, employment, personal finances, housing, and education. 

Economic Empowerment

Protecting, supporting and improving household livelihoods and financial security.

Early Employment Services: The IRC provides vocational counseling, resume preparation, job search and placement services, and financial assistance for basic needs with the goal of helping refugees find their first job in America and achieve early economic self-sufficiency.

Job Club: IRC’s Job Club trains refugees in vital skills needed for securing a first job in the US, including support with job applications, answering interview questions, and building a workplace vocabulary. 

Community Integration and Development

Strengthening communities and preparing individuals to participate fully in American society.

Immigration Services: The IRC offers high-quality, low-cost immigration legal services, assisting refugees and other vulnerable populations.  Services include representation in connection with the filing of applications and petitions for adjustment of status, family reunification, naturalization and other immigration benefits. In many locations, the IRC also offers classes in English language and civics to prepare individuals for naturalization. In helping refugees to attain citizenship, the IRC strengthens communities and encourages civic integration and participation.
 
Programs Optimizing Refugees Transition & Adaptation to Life:  The PORTAL program connects refugees to community resources through hands-on orientations on subjects such as public transportation, higher education, vocational training, cultural and spiritual centers, and recreational opportunities.  Additionally, through community networking and training activities, the PORTAL program works to educate the Salt Lake City community on the needs of incoming refugees. 
 
Family Mentor Program:  Family Mentors are volunteers that meet with assigned refugee families to practice English, assist with unfamiliar tasks and activities, and provide a helping hand to welcome them into the community.

Health and Wellness

Promoting wellness and ensuring access to healthcare services that address physical and psychological needs.

Care and Coordination: The Care and Coordination Program assists refugees in securing a primary medical home and access to specialized care.

Maternal and Child Health: The Maternal & Child Health Program works to ensure that all pregnant refugee women receive pre-natal and postpartum care. Additionally all eligible women and children are enrolled in the local WIC program, a federally-funded health and nutrition program for women, infants, and children provided by the county.
 
Latent TB Infection: The LTBI Program facilitates the treatment of latent tuberculosis for newly arrived refugees. Refugees referred into the program receive education and support through a Peer Support Worker for the duration of their treatment.
 
HIV/Sexual Health: This peer support program provides culturally sensitive education to refugees on the topic of HIV/AIDS and sexual health.
 
Special Needs Case Management: The IRC provides special needs refugees with additional casemanagement assistance to help coordinate health appointments, access special needs resources, and connect to community services.
 
Food Security and Nutrition: Through advocacy, education, community gardening, and resource development, the IRC provides refugees with opportunities to access healthy foods and nutrition education in Salt Lake City.
 
Refugee Well-Being: The Refugee Well-Being Program works to strengthen the emotional health of refugees through regular emotional well-being assessments and culturally appropriate support services.

Children, Youth and Education

Providing educational and developmental opportunities that build the essential academic, personal and social skills needed to succeed.

Youth Program: Through a 10-week curriculum based program, IRC assists refugee youth in building the skills needed to navigate the academic and social challenges of integrating into a new community. Activities focus on acculturation, socialization and English language development with one-to-one support from volunteer mentors.
 
Homework Help:  This weekly afterschool program provides tutoring and academic assistance to refugee youth with support from community volunteers.
 
PLAY Mentors: PLAY Mentors matches community volunteer mentors with graduates from the Refugee Youth Program to provide assistance in the areas of English, skill-building, and adjusting to life in the US.
 
Education Liaison: The IRC provides direct support in identifying appropriate schools for newly arrived refugees, enrolling refugee youth in school, and coordinating information sharing with the school district. Further, the IRC offers in-house orientation classes on education related topics to refugee parents and children. 
 
Family Strengthening: The Family Strengthening Program provides culturally and linguistically appropriate support services to refugee families through classes, workshops, mentee opportunities, and partnerships in the community.