Tolassa Elemaa was training to be a world class runner in Ethiopia until he became a political prisoner. Less than a year after being welcomed as a refugee by the United States, this inspiring athlete completed the New York City Marathon.

For the third year in a row the Back to School Bash has been organized to provide IRC clients with free backpacks and school supplies.

Manal believes that tutoring becomes a more meaningful experience when both student and tutor feel comfortable enough to share a piece of themselves in the session. She looks forward to Wednesday evenings on Zoom – not necessarily to the math homework she’ll be helping a student with, but what the student will teach her.

Having fled their home countries and languished in limbo for months, or even years, refugees arrive to the United States with next to nothing. Help restart their household by providing a Welcome Kit with everything a family needs. You can do this as an individual, as a family, or even rally a community group together to create many Welcome Kits! 

On Monday, July 24, the IRC in Atlanta, in collaboration with the DeKalb County School District (DCSD), hosted a Back-to-School Fair, where school supplies and registration assistance were provided to refugee students and their families.

The IRC interviews Hana and Richard who volunteered at the front desk in Silver Spring.