The IRC in Kansas City, KS

The International Rescue Committee provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture, and other immigrants to thrive in America. Each year, thousands of people, forced to flee violence and persecution, are welcomed by the people of the United States into the safety and freedom of America. These individuals have survived against incredible odds. The IRC works with government bodies, civil society actors, and local volunteers to help them translate their past experiences into assets that are valuable to their new communities. In Kansas City and other offices across the country, the IRC helps them to rebuild their lives.

Who are refugees?

Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country. They often have had to flee with little more than the clothes on their back, leaving behind homes, possessions, jobs and loved ones. The 1951 Refugee Convention defines a refugee as “someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.” (UNHCR) 

Why are refugees arriving in Kansas City?

The United States has a long tradition of sheltering those fleeing conflict and persecution. Once refugees have been identified by the United Nations refugee agency and cleared for resettlement, the U.S. government works with the IRC and eight other national resettlement agencies to help them restart their lives in America. Out of the 25 million refugees in the world, fewer than 1 percent are considered for resettlement worldwide.

Refugees may be placed in a city where they have relatives or friends, or where there’s an established community that shares their language or culture. Other considerations include the cost of living and the community’s ability to provide medical services. However, as legal U.S. residents, refugees may live in any city and state they choose.

How does the IRC help refugees in Kansas City?

IRC’s staff, volunteers and community partners work together to empower refugees to restore their dignity and self-reliance and participate in their new communities.

Our Programs:

Program for Initial Resettlement (PIR): Meeting critical needs in the early months after arriving in the United States. IRC staff and community partners ensure newly arrived refugees are greeted at the airport; have a furnished home; receive time-limited rental assistance; have access to nutritious food, healthcare and education; and are given appropriate social services referrals.

Economic Empowerment: Early self-sufficiency through employment is the foundation of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement program. IRC staff and volunteers provide job readiness training, resume preparation, job search and placement services, and financial assistance for basic needs - with the goal of helping refugees find their first job in America. Employment services are available for up to five years from date of arrival.

Education Program: The IRC in Kansas City supports refugees and eligible immigrants to become economically self-sufficient and integrate into their communities through education programs for eligible school-aged children and adults. Available classes include:

  • English Language Training: Supports refugee clients in gaining English language skills so that language does not remain a barrier to self-sufficiency.
  • Financial Coaching: Supports clients in understanding and participating in the U.S. tax and financial systems, working alongside economic empowerment services to build self-sufficiency.
  • Digital Literacy: Supports clients in accessing and understanding digital resources, including smartphones, tablets, Chromebooks, and laptops.

Cash and Medical Assistance (CMA): Refugees who are not eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Kansas Medicaid program (KanCare) may access Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance, which provides cash assistance support and healthcare coverage for employable adults within their first four months in the United States. A comprehensive medical exam and vaccine program is also available to eligible clients within their first 90 days.
 

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for IRC programs, individuals must:

  • Have an ORR-eligible immigration status: Refugee, Asylee, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), Cuban or Haitian Entrant, Victim of Human Trafficking (VOT), Amerasian, or Unaccompanied Refugee Minor
  • Be within 5 years or less from original date of entry to the United States
  • Live in the state of Kansas

 

How can I help refugees in Kansas City?

Volunteer Opportunities:

We could not do this work without you. The IRC in Kansas City welcomes volunteers who want to make a direct difference in the lives of newcomers. Current opportunities include:

  • Transportation - Transport clients to and from appointments.
  • Teachers - Teach cultural orientation, ESL, financial literacy, and digital literacy classes.
  • Mentorship - Help clients become self-sufficient through bus training, home management, shopping, and career and financial preparation.

Support the Mission

There are many ways to support the IRC in Kansas City:

What do refugees contribute to Kansas City?

Once they acclimate to their new environment, refugees often thrive and contribute to their communities, building careers, purchasing homes, starting businesses, and gaining citizenship. Immigrants in Kansas generate an estimated $46.4 billion in annual gross state product and support approximately 419,500 jobs, and a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study found that over a 15-year period, refugees contributed $123.8 billion more to the economy than they cost the government. In the Kansas City region, immigrants are long-term residents, homeowners, and parents of U.S.-citizen children. The IRC is proud to walk alongside them as they build that future here in Kansas City.