Wendy Norris is the head athletic trainer at DeMatha Catholic High School. Her passion to serve stems from the memory of one of her students, a Navy SEAL, who was killed in 2010 while serving in Afghanistan.  In August 2021, the Taliban overthrew the government of Afghanistan. Searching for a way to help those who served alongside her student, Wendy signed up to volunteer with the IRC.   

Nearly a quarter of IRC staff members have been forced to flee their homes as a result of airstrikes and bombings in northwest Syria. This IRC staffer, a native of Syria, shares his heartbreaking story, and why, despite all, he stays to help save lives.

On July 14th, 2021, the International Rescue Committee in Silver Spring partnered with Baby2Baby, a nonprofit organization that supplies necessities to children in need across the United States, to provide diapers and wipes to IRC clients adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The first thing I do when I get up in the morning is look at the mirror in my bedroom and say, 'let's go hero, your day has started.'”

This National Volunteer Week, communities across the country partner with the IRC to welcome and empower refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of trafficking. In these turbulent times, collective support and dedicated service means more than ever.

SAFE is a protection and psychosocial support program model and resource package for front-line actors to engage adolescents in the early phase of an emergency response.

Rosine and Carine were just 15 years old when they were abducted, raped and forced to marry soldiers. They bravely share their stories in hope that they will raise awareness of the need to do more to protect children in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

After the IRC rehabilitated a water point close to her home, 25-year-old Sheyte Amdu was able to stay in her village.