Adam Kinne, general manager at Cabinetry by Karman in Salt Lake City, reflects back to when he first reached out to the International Rescue Committee with hopes of hiring refugees to his team.

Rabia Afghan and her family arrived in the United States in April 2022 as part of “Operation Allies Welcome,” fleeing the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. Initially welcomed by IRC staff member Bill Tuffin in Virginia, their paths crossed again in January 2023 when Bill, now an Employment Specialist at the IRC in Denver, was tasked with helping Rabia find employment. Despite language barriers and the challenges of resettlement, Rabia secured a job at a local hotel and, through determination and support from the IRC, was promoted within two years. Her story highlights the critical role of community support in helping refugees rebuild their lives and the ongoing challenges they face in their new homes.

IRC and partners are continuing to make an impact for low income refugee families as they experience job loss, food insecurity and isolation.

Our work in Afghanistan, which has from the start spanned “the arc of crisis” from conflict to resettlement, has never been more urgent and crucial.

The IRC is thankful for our continued partnership with Starbucks, who has agreed to hire 10,000 refugees globally. Through these job opportunities, Starbucks is supporting clients as they rebuild their lives and integrate into their local communities. This month we want to highlight a success story from one of our own clients in Silver Spring who was recently hired by Starbucks.

Staff at the IRC in Silver Spring welcome a Syrian family to the Washington, DC area amid turmoil surrounding the Executive Order.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, refugee community leaders have helped provide masks, language accessible documents and videos, and put their lives on the line for their community.