In celebration of World Refugee Day this year, the IRC in Richmond partnered with the Richmond Ivy Soccer Club! Throughout the month of June, a portion of ticket sales from four Ivy home games went directly toward supporting our programs that assist newcomers as they rebuild their lives in Richmond. In addition to the financial support, IRC staff had the opportunity to attend four home games to engage with Ivy fans and share about IRC services available to members of our community.

The IRC in Charlottesville hosted Refuge and Renewal: Stories of Hope, a fundraiser and storytelling event in collaboration with WTJU radio. Former refugee clients shared personal narratives through panel discussions focused on lived experience and the power of storytelling. With over 100 attendees and a significant amount of money raised, the event celebrated resilience, fostered community connection, and supported ongoing services for IRC clients.

This scoping study was initiated by the International Rescue Committee with funding from the World Bank Global Shield Financing Facility and analytical support from Lion’s Head Global Partnersexplores. It explores how disaster risk financing (DRF) and climate finance can support more resilient education systems in low- and middle-income countries. It highlights how natural hazards-such as floods, earthquakes, and cyclones-threaten educational infrastructure and learning outcomes. Despite growing global DRF and climate finance mechanisms, education remains underfunded and poorly integrated. The paper presents models and case studies demonstrating how DRF tools can protect education access, planning, and recovery, and offers practical recommendations to align finance and education systems for better shock-responsiveness and resilience.

This summer, the IRC in Richmond's youth team led a season full of learning, connection, and empowerment for refugee and immigrant youth. From after school programs and college visits to summer camps and new initiatives, youth of all ages had opportunities to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. These efforts reflect the IRC’s ongoing commitment to supporting young people as they build brighter futures in their new home.