News from Tallahassee, FL

Throughout 2020, communities across Florida came together to ensure they remained welcoming to refugees, survivors of human trafficking and immigrant youth. Last year tested our communities in unprecedented ways. Despite these challenges, together we walked alongside our clients, learned from and supported one another as we navigated these times with resilience and grace. We now look forward with a renewed sense of hope and an understanding of the obstacles ahead.

On Thursday, January 28, the IRC in Tallahassee is participating in National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month by inviting the community to join a free, live online panel discussions regarding human trafficking in North Florida.

Among the many challenges that 2020 brought to many around the world, the closing of international borders and travel restrictions as a result of the pandemic further limited the already dwindling number of refugees accepted by the Trump Administration. Prior to the pandemic, the Trump Administration had reduced the number of refugees the United States was committed to welcoming. At the onset of the pandemic, the arrivals of refugees to Tallahassee halted altogether, and it wasn’t until the end of 2020 that new families began to arrive across Big Bend communities. This time, the newly arrived families were coming from Latin America. This was a first for the IRC in Tallahassee’s short four-year history, which has historically welcomed families from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Syria.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is providing the following information for refugees, asylum-seekers and immigrants about U.S. elections and the Presidential inauguration.

The IRC in Tallahassee will host a series of community events during January, designated through Presidential Proclamation as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. These events will engage Tallahassee communities in dialogue designed to elevate the voices of survivors of human trafficking, increase awareness of human trafficking and educate the community about ways to prevent it.

We are excited to welcome David Oliver, our new deputy director! David brings leadership and expertise in program design from his tenure at the IRC in Atlanta. David's commitment to serving the community and his deep understanding of client-centered programs will enable us to continue our growth in supporting our resilient clients as they seek to heal and rebuild their lives.

Schools in Leon County recently welcomed students back to the classrooms, both virtually and in person. The IRC in Tallahassee partners with Leon County Schools to prepare students and families for this unprecedented school year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The IRC in Florida’s staff is in conversations with Congressional leaders to discuss the IRC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Presidential Determination for the admission of refugees in the United States.

During these unprecedented times, Florida communities, stretching from Tallahassee to Miami, continue supporting refugees, survivors of human trafficking and immigrant youth. It takes all of us—volunteers, clients, donors, employees and community partners—to maintain our 60-year legacy of welcoming and uplifting the voices of our resilient clients.

On Thursday, July 30, the IRC in Florida is participating in World Day Against Trafficking in Persons by inviting the community to join a live online panel discussion regarding human trafficking in South Florida. Florida ranks in the top three U.S. states for reported incidents of human trafficking, and South Florida exhibits the largest percentage of those cases.