On August 19, the Georgia House Study Committee on Innovative Ways to Maximize Global Talent convened for its first legislative meeting, commencing an important and exciting bipartisan initiative to maximize the economic contributions and workforce participation of our foreign-born neighbors here in Georgia.

The IRC in Atlanta is thrilled to announce that two of our very own—Ms. Sharita Khatiwada and Ms. Samiha Ross—have been named as part of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) Atlanta ‘30 under 30’ Class of 2020!

On Wednesday, September 29, the IRC in Atlanta’s Executive Director, Justin Howell, hosted a webinar briefing with our partners—Alpa Amin, Executive Director of Georgia Asylum & Immigration Network (GAIN); Marjan Nadir, Economic Empowerment Manager at Refugee Women’s Network (RWN); and Chris Purdy, Director of Veterans for American Ideals and Outreach at Human Rights First—to discuss our work and how the community can help us welcome and support new Afghan arrivals in Georgia and continue our more than 40-year history of welcoming refugees to our state.

The IRC in Atlanta was honored to host U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Brian P. McKeon, and Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, Nancy Izzo-Jackson, for a first-of-its-kind visit by the U.S. State Department to a local refugee resettlement community in honor of World Refugee Day!

Bob Gordon is a military veteran, retiree and lover of history and world travel. Kelly Daniels is an artist, business owner and first-generation American with personal ties to the refugee community. Together, they have nearly a decade of combined experience helping immigrants and refugees become American citizens!

The IRC in Atlanta’s Microenterprise Development program recently provided its first small business loan to Mohammad, originally from Syria, who is now the proud owner of The Best Works Auto Care Center in Roswell.

Support refugees and immigrants by becoming a volunteer with the IRC in Atlanta. Opportunities range from English class teaching assistance and career development guidance to donation drive organizing and group volunteer projects.

The IRC in Atlanta, in partnership with Refugee Women’s Network, the Latin American Association, and the Somali American Community Center, has received an $800,000 award from the U.S. Small Business Administration to help small business owners from Georgia's diverse communities rebuild resilient, thriving companies.

Every summer, IRC in San Diego hosts a Girls Soccer program. The young women on the team develop their athletic ability and learn communication and leadership skills for life on and off the field.

The only Afghan grocery store in Georgia, Baseer’s Kabul Market has been an invaluable resource for the community as we welcome families who were recently evacuated from Afghanistan by the US. Since mid-October, the IRC in Atlanta has purchased more than 100 hot welcome meals from Kabul Market along with countless loaves of traditional Afghan bread!