Clemencia Morales, who received her citizenship with the help of IRC's citizenship class program, embodies everything it means to truly be American. Her selflessness, compassion, and desire to give back to the community that welcomed her (by handing out over 5,000 homemade face masks to those in need), is an American ideal we can all agree on.

Pride month is celebrated every June, in remembrance of the Stonewall Riots, a series of gay liberation protests that took place in New York City in 1969. This commemorative month recognizes the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) people have had locally, nationally, and internationally, while also illuminating some of the key issues persisting for this community, in order to prompt change and work towards safety and inclusion for everyone. 

In September, IRC staff members—some former refugees—met with Senator Mike Lee’s office to share their experiences helping to educate on the benefits of a strong refugee resettlement program in the U.S.

Starting this month, the IRC offices in San Jose and Turlock/Modesto have teamed up with the federal government to provide virtual orientation services for asylees, replacing in-person orientation services formerly provided at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services asylum office in San Francisco.

In September 2018, a man from the DRC arrived in Wichita, Kansas with his wife and four children. Today, he and his wife work full time, all their children attend school and the family has purchased their own car. Now he is giving help to other refugees.

Find out how to support and welcome refugees in Kansas