Announcement
20 Years of Welcome: building consistent support for newcomers
Twenty years ago in the spring of 2006, the IRC welcomed its first refugee family to Boise, joining a long history of welcome across the IRC and in Idaho. The IRC was founded in 1933 and Idaho entered the refugee resettlement program. Read more about the history of the IRC here and about the history of resettlement in Idaho on the Idaho Office of Refugees page.
Since then, the IRC in Boise has supported more than 6,000 refugees and humanitarian immigrants as they’ve navigated the journey of resettlement. From those first days after arrival, meeting families at the airport and helping them settle into safe housing to longer-term milestones like securing employment, enrolling children in school, and opening a first bank account, our work has always been about more than services. It’s about helping people build stability, dignity, and a sense of belonging as Idahoans.
This impact has only been possible because of the community. For two decades, neighbors, donors, volunteers, and partners have shown up, making Idaho a place where newcomers are welcomed and supported as they begin again.
Looking ahead: the 20 for 20 challenge
To mark our anniversary, the IRC in Boise is launching the 20 for 20 Giving Challenge.
Our goal is simple: secure at least 20 new monthly donors giving at least $20 per month.
Monthly gifts provide steady funding that helps cover core services and respond to immediate needs. This consistency allows staff to focus on helping families make progress, instead of worrying about whether support will be there.
Why it matters
Families have left difficult and often urgent situations. Getting established takes time and support, and ongoing stability can shape everything that follows.
Reliable funding helps make that possible. It supports everything from digital skills training to employment services, housing support and immigration legal services, and day-to-day problem solving.
Be a part of what comes next
If you’ve supported the IRC in Boise before, this is a way to continue that commitment in a simple, ongoing way. If you’re new to this work, it’s an easy place to start.
👉 Join our 20 for 20 Giving Challenge and become a monthly donor.
Your support helps make sure families arriving today have the strong foundation that has supported others over the past 20 years.
Take action: it only takes a minute to commit
Getting started is simple. Click below, select “Give Monthly,” and choose an amount that works for you.