News from Baltimore, MD

Youth success coaches are matched with 1-2 refugee youth (ages 10-24) to provide support to meet their goals. Success coaches and mentees meet weekly for 10 weeks.

As the coronavirus continues to impact our communities, the IRC in Baltimore remains committed to supporting our clients with high quality resettlement and immigration legal services. Now more than ever, IRC staff and clients rely on a network of public and private partners for support.

As of Monday, March 23, 2020 the IRC’s office in Baltimore will be closed to protect the health of clients, partners, staff and the community during the coronavirus pandemic. Our staff will continue to work remotely and will maintain regular remote contact and appointments with the individuals and families we serve.

In response to the coronavirus outbreak, the IRC has made some changes to our programs and operations in order to help prevent the spread of the illness in our community and to protect the health of our clients, onsite partners, volunteers, and staff.

If you’ve spotted a 2016 grey Honda Odyssey mini-van driving around Baltimore lately, you may have come across IRC staff and clients at work. Last year the IRC purchased its first mini-van with generous support from the France-Merrick Foundation, and the results have paid off.

The IRC is excited to host citizenship classes on-site this year, in partnership with Baltimore City Community College.

A message from the executive director of the IRC in Maryland on the state of refugee resettlement in 2020.

As any other refugee arriving to a new place to call home, Fiston had a mix of feelings when he arrived in Baltimore three years ago. He was excited to build a successful life, but he was also worried.

When Eielnata started first grade in a local elementary school this fall, she had a new backpack filled with school supplies. Over the years, the IRC has worked with many community groups and individuals to provide new backpacks and other needed items to support refugees and immigrants as they start school in Baltimore.

Five years ago, Maria was a 26-year-old single mother of two living in Honduras. After fleeing for life and being granted asylum in the U.S., Maria received assistance from the IRC in Baltimore and was able to reunite with her two sons this year.