Announcement
“A refugee is not just someone escaping something. A refugee is also someone moving toward something. Toward safety. Toward dignity, Toward opportunity. Toward a future.”
Emile Ndahunga, employment navigator AmeriCorps at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Utah, shared his experience as a former refugee and current team member at the IRC’s recent fundraising dinner: Rebuilding Lives Elevating Futures. Emile offered a powerful reminder to guests about the refugee experience—one that he had gone through himself.
“When people hear the word “refugee,” they sometimes think of statistics or headlines. But refugees are people with dreams, talents, and potential. They are parents trying to protect their children. They are students hoping for a future.”
Emile Ndahunga, employment navigator AmeriCorps, speaks about his experiences as a former refugee and his current role helping others find jobs in our community.
Photo: James Roh
Over 200 community members gathered to celebrate the contributions, successes, and triumphs of our refugee and immigrant neighbors. From cheering on local performers from the Ngoma Y’Africa Cultural Center to raising critical funds to support the IRC’s mission in Utah, the jubilant evening was a reminder of all that we can accomplish as part of a community supporting each other.
Attendees also experienced an incredible menu crafted by Chef Wendy Juárez, owner and operator of Prime Corn, a business participating in the IRC’s Spice Kitchen program. From slow cooked birria to chiles en nogada, a variety of snack bites and refreshing aguas frescas, Wendy took guests on a culinary journey. The evening finished with a dessert bar filled with treats offered by fellow Spice Kitchen businesses: BocaDulce Desserts and Delicius.
Wendy Juárez (right), owner & operator of Prime Corn, participated in the IRC in Utah's Spice Kitchen program. She now keeps a busy schedule, including providing catering services to the IRC's recent Rebuilding Lives Elevating Futures fundraising dinner.
Photo: James Roh
With support from incredible sponsors and supporters, Rebuilding Lives Elevating Futures raised over $58,000 in support of local programming, including over $41,000 to directly support immigration legal services. Funds raised will help the IRC in Utah maintain critical services for the newest arrivals to those working to achieve ambitious milestone, like Ja Dim Lahpai, owner and operator of Shwe Letyar Sushi, who also spoke of her experience arriving to Utah as a refugee:
“I am proud of my business. I started from zero, and I worked hard to be where I am. I opened Utah’s first Burmese restaurant, and I plan to keep going. Today, I look back at the beginning of my refugee life…It’s incredible we survived; however, we keep trying to be good citizens and hope the future generations will become good leaders.”
Over 200 community members gathered to celebrate the contributions, successes, and triumphs of our refugee and immigrant neighbors.
Photo: James Roh
Pedro Moncada, immigration legal representative at the IRC in Utah, shared his experience supporting families who are working hard to rebuild, to seek safety, and to reunite with loved ones: "The families we serve are not statistics. They are not cases. They are people who have survived the unimaginable and are now doing everything they can to rebuild...Legal services are often the difference between a family staying together or being separated. Between stability or uncertainty. Between hope or fear."
Pedro invited Shahla and Sitara on stage to join him—the two eldest daughters of a family from Afghanistan who had been separated from their family in 2021. They shared the unimaginable circumstances they faced, the resilience in supporting each other, and the moment they reunited with their siblings and family at the Salt Lake City International Airport.
Danny Beus, executive director, closed the evening reflecting on Utah’s unwavering support for refugees: “I've been asked what makes refugee work so different in Utah. And when it comes down to it, Utah is weird—in a good way. What makes Utah "weird" is how special of a place we are. Support for refugees and immigrants is something we must choose to do, and Utah proves to me time and time again, we choose to be a welcoming community.”
Rescue Partner Awardees
During the event, the IRC in Utah was grateful to acknowledge the contributions & support of its 2026 Rescue Partners:
Jane Hoffman, volunteer
Lifting Hands International, community partner
KeyBank, community partner,
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, community champion
Danny Beus, executive director at the International Rescue Committee thanked supporters for attending: "Our staff, partners, private donors, volunteers and neighbors all came together to prove to me again that more people are with us than against us."
Photo: James Roh
Thank you!
The IRC in Utah is also deeply grateful to everyone who supported the event, from purchasing a ticket to donating during the evening. A special thanks, again and again, to the generous sponsors who made the evening possible:
Visionary
The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation
Humanitarian
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Activist
Thank you, also, to our friends: Beehive Distilling, Cache Valley Bank, Carma Hyde, Health Plans University of Utah, Intermountain Health, Optum Bank, and Snap Finance.
Be the first to know about upcoming events by following us on Instagram or Facebook at @IRCSaltLakeCity. Our next event is on June 12th in partnership with The DLC is a Benefit Show. Learn more & grab your tickets »
You can help us accomplish our mission today, tomorrow & always in Utah. Consider a one-time or monthly contribution in support of our local work. Give today at Rescue.org/GiveSLC »