Each year on June 20th, communities across the globe celebrate World Refugee Day. It is a time to acknowledge, celebrate and raise awareness of the challenges and resilience of refugees who have been cruelly forced to abandon their homes in search of safety and stability. This year both IRC offices in Virginia, in addition to nearly every IRC office across the network, found meaningful ways to raise awareness of our work and to share the stories of those we serve.  

In Richmond, we invited community partners and other key stakeholders to our office for an Open House. Guests were able to tour the office, meet with staff from each of our program offerings, eat delicious local fare, and hear from an amazing former client who now works for IRC Headquarters.   

Our team in Charlottesville collaborated with WTJU, a local radio station affiliated with the University of Virginia (UVA), to create an hour-long program that highlighted the stories of three former IRC clients. Clients from Afghanistan, Bosnia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo shared their music and reflections on their refugee journeys with WTJU’s Aaryan Balu for an inspiring and heartwarming hour.. The broadcast was a success, and you can listen to a recording here.