News from Tallahassee, FL

The IRC is thrilled to welcome JC Torres to our team as our new Development Manager. JC is charged with leading the fundraising initiatives for both the Tallahassee and Miami offices. Before joining the IRC, JC served as the Associate Director of Development for Conexion Americas, an organization dedicated to the development of the Latino community across Tennessee.

From Friday, March 13 and until further notice, the IRC’s offices in Tallahassee and Miami are closed and our staff is working remotely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are adapting and continuing to serve our clients during this difficult time. Learn more about our COVID-19 response and how you can help refugees and survivors in Florida communities in our latest update.

March 17 marks the 40th Anniversary of President Jimmy Carter signing the Refugee Act of 1980. Forty years ago, Congress passed landmark legislation with near unanimous bipartisan support creating a formal process for welcoming refugees based on humanitarian needs and U.S. interests.

Refugee families, survivors of human trafficking and other vulnerable populations that we serve will be disproportionately affected by the impact of COVID-19 on our community in the coming weeks. Please donate to the IRC in Florida’s Crisis Prevention Fund and help us ensure our newest neighbors have the resources and services they need to get through this trying time.

On February 4, the IRC in Tallahassee’s staff, refugee clients and volunteers joined fellow advocates from the Florida Immigrant Coalition and We Are All America at the Florida State Capitol for the state’s first ever Refugee Advocacy Day.

“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.

This summer, the IRC in Tallahassee launched a new, volunteer-led Youth program to help middle-and high-school refugee students from the Democratic Republic of Congo learn English and better adjust to their new home. The response from community members has been incredible!

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.

This summer, the IRC in Tallahassee launched a new, volunteer-led Refugee Literacy program to help middle- and high-school refugee students from the Democratic Republic of Congo to learn English through homework help, socializing and community integration. Volunteers work with students in their homes and become a regular fixture in their lives, providing mentorship and support as they become better orientated into the Tallahassee community.