New Roots is a multi-faceted agriculture and food initiative that works in partnership with refugees and other New Americans to support their health, community connections, and household economics through nutrition education, gardening, land-based micro-business development, and other wellness and educational activities.

A refugee from Syria, Saddam worked incredibly hard against the odds to re-enter his profession. Now that he has obtained his barber license, Saddam is ready to build his clientele base here in Boise.

Murtaza Mohammad Hossain, a refugee from Afghanistan, overcame numerous challenges with the help of the IRC's Matching Grant program, eventually securing a job and a donated car that transformed his family's life in the USA. His journey highlights the importance of support systems in achieving self-sufficiency and the profound impact of community assistance.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Salt Lake City continues to support community-wide pandemic response, recently organizing a vaccine clinic with community partners to ensure 87 refugees and new Americans received the first dose of the COVID vaccine.

Mariangela Taylor is a single mother of four who lives in Ellicott City, Maryland. While not a refugee herself, she empathized with the heart-wrenching stories of those escaping war and persecution and the immense challenges faced by those seeking the chance of a better life and decided to volunteer with the IRC.

Eight years of war in Syria has devastated the entire country. But instead of recounting hardships, these Syrian girls living in Jordan talk about their dreams, ambitions, abilities…and their favorite things.

On December 3, the International Rescue Committee in Silver Spring brought together over 50 clients, volunteers, and staff for a Thanksgiving meal and afternoon of festivities. Sampling traditional American fare such as roasted turkey and cranberry sauce alongside delicacies like homemade dolmas and Syrian pastries, refugee families and IRC volunteers and staff had an opportunity to share their cultural traditions with each other and express the things that they are thankful for in their lives.

Refugee families and survivors of human trafficking are disproportionately affected by COVID-19's impacts on our community. Help IRC ensure our clients have the resources and services they need to get through this trying time.

New Roots, a program of the IRC in Salt Lake City, oversees 12 community garden sites in the Salt Lake Valley, helping refugee families access personal plots of land to grow food for their households.

The IRC in Phoenix is working alongside refugee communities and other partners to welcome and support Afghans in urgent need of safety. Here's how you can help!