News from Oakland, CA

Through the IRC in Oakland’s varied volunteer opportunities, individuals are able to share their unique experience and expertise directly with the IRC's refugee and asylee clients in the Bay Area. We currently operate several highly effective programs designed to meet a variety of refugee and asylee newcomers' needs.

One of the IRC's first priorities when refugees arrive in Northern California is to help employable adults secure jobs that will allow them to begin covering expenses and building a new life. Some clients arrive with the professional background and necessary skills to pursue a career similar to that in their home country. To help with this, the IRC offers career development programming to clients who have already secured their survival job and are interested and ready to move forward. 

Please join GenR: Bay Area to celebrate the cultures and contributions of refugees resettling in the United States. At the event, local chefs will prepare delicious appetizers inspired by the home countries of refugees. In addition to great eats, the event will include music, drinks, and a special exhibit featuring the portraits of refugee girls resettled in Oakland.

In honor of Mother's Day, we share the story of two mothers reunited with their children after decades apart thanks to the Central American Minors program and the help of the IRC.

Wondering what you can do to support refugees in your area? Take a lesson from this group of kid chefs who gathered their community for a homemade meal that gives back.

Thank you for your interest in supporting refugees and taking a stand for welcome in Northern California.  You are vital to protecting the values that make this country who we are. On behalf of those we serve, thank you. Here are ways you can help.

The New York Times covers a Congolese refugee family resettled by the IRC in Oakland and their mentor family in Oakland, California.

Lawful Permanent Residents encouraged to apply now to avoid fee hike; some will qualify for partial fee waiver.

The IRC in Northern California is excited to share our new Crowdrise page, which will allow community members to better fundraise for local resettlement.

New GenR member Jenny Ma writes about how she got involved and her first Food Stories: From Burma to the Bay event.