Dear Friends,
IRC Tucson opened its doors at our new location at 3100 N. Campbell on February 22nd. I am excited about being in this new place, about how it represents substantial growth in programs and services for refugees. The first year IRC opened the Tucson office, we served an average of 150 refugees, employed 4 staff and provided services to ensure refugees could survive in our community. We picked up refugees from the airport, brought them to their new home and helped them find sustainable employment.
Today, almost 13 years later, IRC Tucson serves over 600 refugees yearly, employs 24 staff and not only helps refugees survive, but also provides opportunities and programs for refugees to thrive as new Americans. We still provide the essential basic services refugees need in order to settle into their new home. Case management and employment services ensure that refugees have food and shelter, while also providing them with access to healthcare, job readiness training, ESL classes and transportation.
Over the years we have grown to provide increased programs and opportunities that help refugees move from surviving to thriving. Our Financial Education and Micro-Enterprise programs provide the economic empowerment refugees need in order to build a financially sound future for their family, and the Center for Well Being at IRC Tucson offers a variety of opportunities for refugees to overcome the trauma they have experienced, learn more about the Tucson community and become involved in local community building efforts.
Lately it has been hard to think about how refugees thrive in America when our clients, like so many other Americans, are struggling to find jobs and stay in their homes. Yet, those of us who have been witness to the courage and determination of refugees have seen how they persist in the pursuit of their goals, and achieve them. Our job together is to continually look for ways to provide them support in their efforts. I invite you to join us in our efforts, and thank you for your continued friendship. Please feel free to stop by and visit us in our new office – we look forward to increased community partnership and opportunities for refugee engagement as we settle into our new space.
Warmly,
Ken Briggs, Executive Director
