Our work
Three ways the IRC serves communities across the U.S.
The IRC helps newcomers build stable, dignified lives in 29 U.S. communities through workforce development, integration programs, and legal services.
In 2025, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) served 29 communities in the United States with programs designed to strengthen the American economy, reach vulnerable people and ensure humanitarian protections are respected.
Our teams work alongside local partners, employers, schools and community members to help people affected by crisis rebuild their lives. Together, we combine immediate support with long-term solutions so families can move forward with stability and dignity.
Here are three of the several ways the IRC is supporting communities across the U.S.
1. Strengthening local economies through workforce integration
Across the U.S., newcomers are eager to work but routinely face steep barriers to entering the labor market quickly and safely. The IRC’s programs help clients secure employment and financial stability while meeting the needs of local communities.
When immigrants are given the opportunity to contribute, they overwhelmingly benefit the U.S. economy. Between 1994 and 2023, immigrants generated an estimated fiscal surplus of $14,500,000,000—paying more in taxes than they received in public benefits at all levels of government.
In 2025, the IRC’s workforce programs reached over 38,000 people. We partnered with over 2,600 employers and secured more than 5,500 job placements, putting families on the path to self-sufficiency.
The IRC helps people across the U.S. build economic stability through:
- Job readiness training: Resume development, interview preparation and workplace orientation to prepare clients for successful employment.
- Direct job placement and coaching: Connections to current job openings, paired with post-placement support to help individuals retain and grow in their roles.
- Sector-specific career pathways: Delivering training for in-demand jobs within a client’s community, improving qualifications and closing employment gaps.
- Workplace English instruction: Job-focused language learning that helps clients communicate effectively at work.
- Center for Economic Opportunity: Helps borrowers build credit and access modest loans to start businesses and improve their financial resilience.
Ahmed (middle) received a $10,000 loan from the IRC’s Center for Economic Opportunity. He opened a store and has since hired new employees to keep up with demand.
Photo: Andrew Oberstadt for the IRC
2. Connecting communities through protection and integration services
The IRC helps survivors of gender-based violence, human trafficking, torture, family separation and other forms of harm rebuild their lives with dignity, both across the U.S. and abroad.
In 2026, our protection and integration services will reach over 12,000 people in the U.S. Through expanded digital services and partnerships, we aim to serve more than 200,000 people annually.
Our approach quickly connects people to the right level of support:
- Information services: 24/7 multilingual answers and vetted guidance help families make decisions quickly and avoid misinformation.
- Virtual navigation: Trained navigators provide rapid problem-solving for urgent needs, helping prevent crises from escalating.
- Case management: Coordinated support for people with multiple or high-risk challenges, such as housing instability or health difficulties, including specialized assistance programs for unaccompanied children and survivors of trafficking or torture.
Long-time IRC volunteers Wizie and Darwin moments before greeting a refugee family from Ukraine. The couple played a vital role in helping the family integrate into their new community.
Photo: Andrew Oberstadt for the IRC
3. Providing legal services and defending rights
Legal status is a cornerstone of safety, stability and opportunity. Without trusted legal support, families can remain separated for years, adults may lose the right to work legally, and children can face life-altering court proceedings alone.
The IRC’s legal teams bridge this gap. In 2025, we supported more than 16,000 people with legal services, including family reunification petitions, citizenship applications, asylum filings, and legal education—helping vulnerable individuals secure the protections they're entitled to under U.S. law.
Helping unaccompanied children navigate the legal system
Unaccompanied children navigating the U.S. immigration system face unique vulnerabilities. They often arrive in the U.S. fleeing gang violence, abuse, or other dangers without a parent or guardian.
Congress has repeatedly passed bipartisan legislation granting basic protections to unaccompanied children, aimed at keeping them safe from trafficking, exploitation and other abuse. The IRC provides specialized legal representation to unaccompanied children, helping ensure they have a meaningful opportunity to be heard and access legal protections designed for their safety and well-being.
Jaime*, an unaccompanied minor had trouble speaking up about his story. Through play therapy, he was able to open up to “Javi” , a pig puppet used by his legal advocate. The story he shared with Javi turned out to be critical to his asylum case.
Defending humanitarian protections
IRC legal teams provide assistance to refugees, asylees, Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders, asylum seekers and other humanitarian immigrants navigating the complex U.S. legal system. We help clients understand these high-stakes processes where a missed deadline can determine whether a family can remain safely in the U.S. and rebuild their lives or not.
Why we partner with the communities we serve
Across our 29 U.S. office locations, the IRC works closely with community members to expand the reach and impact of our programs. Volunteers, local leaders and partner organizations help ensure our services are accessible, culturally relevant and responsive to local needs.
Being embedded in communities helps the IRC meet people where they are. It also creates opportunities for community members to take part in building welcoming, resilient neighborhoods.
The IRC has long stood as a beacon of hope for people in crises. We invite you to join us: find a volunteer opportunity at an IRC office near you.
IRC staff and volunteers help students complete an assignment at an IRC summer school program designed to help address identified learning gaps in English and math.
Photo: Shuran Huang for the IRC
Support the IRC
Grassroots support is essential to sustaining IRC’s work in the United States and around the world. Donations from individuals help fund programs that support families, protect vulnerable people and strengthen communities.
More from the IRC
The International Rescue Committee has over 90 years of experience helping people affected by crisis to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. We provide services at 29 U.S.-based offices, across Europe, and deliver humanitarian aid in more than 40 crisis-affected countries.
You can find a full listing of our U.S. services here.
Our ratings: We consistently earn top marks from charity watchdog groups for our efficient use of donor contributions and the effectiveness of our work.
Get connected: Follow the IRC on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Bluesky and X.
Stay informed: Learn more about the world’s most pressing crises and what the IRC is doing to help.
