The IRC in Florida has provided emergency housing assistance to 16 families across Florida, which equates to 160 individuals. The Florida Crisis Prevention fund addresses emergency housing needs by providing payments towards rent and utilities.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, IRC clients John, Beata, Furaha and Dezir were recently hired by a local textile manufacturer that has switched gears to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) for local emergency services departments and front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now in their third week on the job, these resilient new Americans are grateful for the opportunity to work and give back to the community that welcomed them.

Refugee gardeners connect with one another remotely and learn about community agriculture through a series of nutrition workshops, facilitated by IRC in Seattle's New Roots program.

While many IRC clients have continued to work during the COVID-19 crisis, others have been laid off and are now looking for new jobs. Read more about Tim, May, Prisca and Buswaza.

"I want to advocate for the people I work with so they have the opportunity to live with dignity and wellbeing. I want them to experience joy and safety. All the things we consider to be basic human rights.”

During a time when everyone feels alone, volunteers ensure that refugee students feel supported as they finish their academic year and look ahead to future goals.

New Roots farmers work to grow fresh food in urban farms for the wider community, all the while fasting to observe Ramadan.

Speaking the same language is not a prerequisite for friendship for Joanne, a dedicated family mentor volunteer, who continues to build supportive relationships with newly arrived refugee families.

For the first time, Flavia, a budding writer resettled as a refugee by the IRC in Salt Lake City, is sharing her work with the community.

In early February, the IRC in Salt Lake City’s Spice Kitchen Incubator hosted Congressman Ben McAdams and colleague Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (FL) at a gathering focused on meeting with refugee aid community leaders and learning more about programs that help refugees and other New Americans reach self-sufficiency.