Each year, tens of thousands of refugees fleeing violence and persecution resettle in the United States, including the Bay Area. Resettlement means a fresh start and opportunity, especially for adolescent girls whose futures had been limited by a lack of access to education and opportunities and restrictive ideas about  women. Here. these girls have the chance to improve themselves, their families, and their communities. The Vision Project aims to empower refugee girls and change perceptions within their communities by providing girls with the skills and support they need to envision a positive future, and ultimately achieve their goals. The project runs three week-long workshops each year with resettled refugee girls, and each week culminates in a personal photoshoot for each girl where they embody their future selves. 

A new IRC survey from the Mexico-U.S. border finds needs are overwhelming available services. Women and children are at risk.

After fleeing the war in Syria, a woman grabs a chance to restart her family’s beekeeping business in Jordan.

After arriving from Afghanistan as a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holder in July 2020, Shallah Shaiq began the process of building a new life in the U.S. with her husband and teenage son. Shallah initially earned a bachelor’s degree in law from Afghanistan and carries a passion for working with her Afghan peers through communications. Shallah felt determined to acquire the skills she needed to develop her resume and continue her education in the U.S.  so she could continue to support women’s rights within an Afghan immigrant organization.  

On World Humanitarian Day, hear from IRC staff members working tirelessly to make a lasting impact.

A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in real time. Now is the time to meet the moment.

Researchers measured the cost-effectiveness of each program in terms of short-term changes in self-employment, work hours, and income.

Rosine and Carine were just 15 years old when they were abducted, raped and forced to marry soldiers. They bravely share their stories in hope that they will raise awareness of the need to do more to protect children in the Democratic Republic of Congo.