In honor of International Day of the Girl, the IRC in Los Angeles is excited to share the artwork and stories of girls in our Unaccompanied Children program through a virtual 'art show'. The girls, who participated in our Summer Arts and Wellness program, have created self portraits, artwork, and stories to share their dreams and hopes for the future - which are just as big and beautiful as you might expect! 

The Sayid family arrived in early fall 2021 to NYC from the base that temporarily housed evacuating families from Afghanistan. As a family of five, they were focused on resettling as soon as possible. A new beginning for them meant finding a new apartment, setting up social benefits, and enrolling their two children in school. More important is the emotional process of resetting and finding comfort through a difficult transition.

Tens of thousands of people are fleeing Aleppo as Syrian government forces take control of eastern neighborhoods. IRC president David Miliband says the city has become "a bloody graveyard."

In the middle of the night, Ali and his family raced in an ambulance from SeaTac Airport to a team of waiting doctors at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Fleeing the threat of death at the hands of extremists and battling time to save the life of his gravely ill seven-year-old son, Ali had spent the last two and a half years pleading for a chance to leave Iraq, to exchange home for safety. Now, with the support of the Seattle community, Ali and his family begin the journey of rebuilding their lives.

Eight months since borders closed across the Balkan route, leaving tens of thousands stranded across Europe, refugees have no choice but to live in tents and other shelters unsuited for freezing temperatures. The IRC warns that children, the elderly and other vulnerable people may die on European soil this winter unless immediate action is taken.

Refugees and immigrants are some of the most impacted communities of COVID-19, and many newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers have been dealing with stress and isolation. In order to help provide healthy coping mechanisms, the IRC in LA created an arts and wellness program for youth in our unaccompanied children program.