Raffi Gostanian came to the United States from Syria 15 years ago on a student visa. A jazz musician who plays the saxophone and piano, he intended to study music but graduated with a political science degree from William Paterson University. As a front desk volunteer at IRC for the last 10 months, Raffi has diligently trekked twice a week from Paterson, home to a large Arab community, to IRC’s office in Elizabeth.

Refugee students are well-equipped to start school this fall thanks to generous donations of backpacks and school supplies from local businesses and community groups.

Until last year, Line had spent almost her entire life in a refugee camp. 

Employment interns work supporting newly arrived refugees to secure and maintain employment, focusing on early self-sufficiency in the U.S. Learn more about how Molly & Calvin have been instrumental to the employment program this fall.

The IRC in Dallas relies on community support to assist refugees who are fleeing from war and persecution in their home countries. Here is how you can help.

The Child Watch Center is a safe, enriching, and educational environment for refugee children. By creating this childcare program, refugee parents were able to attend more classes at the IRC.

The IRC in Tucson’s Center for Well-being is dedicated to helping people affected by conflict access mental health and psychosocial support. Learn more about our Survivor's of Torture program.