Around the world, climate change is accelerating life-threatening heat waves. Some communities lack the necessary resources to ensure their safety.

Meet five individuals we’ve supported over the years, who have gone on to become a crucial part of their new communities and are giving back in countless ways.

The U.S. has a long tradition of offering refuge to those fleeing persecution and war. These vulnerable populations have suffered unimaginable hardship and face tremendous obstacles as they start their new lives. The IRC staff and volunteers provide support to refugees from their first moments in the country to help set them on a path to self-sufficiency.

The HOME Program pairs community and/or faith-based groups directly with refugee families resettled by the IRC in Wichita. In collaboration with the IRC, HOME teams assist the Wichita team to complete home set-ups, provide targeted financial assistance and offer ongoing mentorship to a refugee family for six months.