“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
From The ”New Collossus” by Mary Lazurus
Every day, all across the globe, innocent families are uprooted from their homes and forced to flee their lives – because of war, natural disaster and persecution. The IRC in Salt Lake City knows these stories. In 1993, the Salt Lake City Office opened its doors and has since resettled over 7,500 refugees from over 15 different countries.
Currently, we welcome 30 to 50 new men, women and children refugees each month from countries such as Burma, Iraq, Bhutan, Somalia, Eritrea, among others. The minute these brave individuals and families step off the plane in Salt Lake City, IRC staff and volunteers are there to help them on the final leg of their journey from harm to home. We provide housing and cash assistance, access to health care and other basic services, and help men and women gain the skills they need to secure stable employment. We also help refugees achieve their dreams of becoming U.S. citizens.
The safety and hope of renewed lives afforded these individuals by our humanitarian resettlement efforts is palpable. It can be seen in the smiles of the children, the relief in the eyes of the parents, and through the unbridled enthusiasm shown by the new arrivals to become productive members of our community. The challenge to overcome traumatic experiences, language and cultural barriers, economic limitations, transportation and housing needs can be overwhelming. Yet through the efforts and support of the community, refugees are succeeding in their new journey towards U.S. citizenship. The support to meet this challenge by the Salt Lake community has been astounding! It is a privilege to be part of this humanitarian work, and our local partnerships are making a significant difference in the world.
We sincerely thank you for your interest in the work we do making a difference in lives of refugees. You can learn more about how the IRC serves our community and how you can be part of the team by calling us at 801 328 1091.
Sincerely,
Patrick Poulin
Executive Director – the IRC in Salt Lake City
