News from Miami, FL

“Florida has long been a leader in showing hospitality to refugee and immigrant communities and will continue to be a destination for those seeking a safe and welcoming home where they can rebuild their lives.” The IRC in Florida’s executive director, J.D. McCrary, provides an update on recent policy decisions and the status of the refugee resettlement program.

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and the IRC is working to raise awareness and train community members to identify and report potential trafficking cases in both the Big Bend and South Florida.

The IRC is thrilled to welcome Marian Dickson to the team as our new development director. Marian is charged with leading our Southeast Resource Development team—which supports the IRC’s locally-funded offices in Atlanta, Tallahassee and Miami—in the expansion of its individual giving programs.

Thanks to you and other generous supporters, we raised more than $1,100 on Give Miami Day!

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in partnership with Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC) has received funding from the Department of Justice, securing – for the first time – federal resources specifically designated to combat human trafficking in the Big Bend, a highly rural area in Florida.

On August 20, the Federal South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force hosted an event to raise public awareness of the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888). The Task Force—led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations and Miami-Dade Police Department—has participated in more than 100 human trafficking community outreach events in 2019.

The IRC in Miami is committed to raising $5,000 in just 24 hours to ensure survivors of human trafficking and unaccompanied children in Miami-Dade County continue to have access to our vital, life-changing programs and assistance, and we need your help to reach this goal!

In May the IRC in Florida’s Deputy Director, Regina Bernadin, and Tallahassee Site Manager, Una Bilic, joined refugee leaders and advocates from across the country for a special two-day advocacy event in Washington, DC.