Celebrating Volodymyr's Journey

On February 10th, the IRC in NY's casework team held their first Valentine's Day dance for their clients!

Refugee women and girls share their personal journeys and future goals through poems and stories.

Asha is the mother of three young girls and this year she celebrates her first Mother’s Day in the United States. Many refugee parents, like Asha, have overcome extraordinary circumstances to give their children something we all strive for: the opportunity to live a healthy life, free from harm.

Originally from Cote d'Ivoire, Adama arrived in the US less than six years ago. He attended the Refugee Youth Summer Academy (RYSA) and then enrolled into 9th grade at Brooklyn International High School. He and his mom participated in the Academic Coaching program, and a few years later, Adama became a "Leader in Training" - including working as a Peer Mentor at RYSA in 2014 and 2015. Meanwhile, he honed his artistry. When he graduated high school in 2015, he enrolled at the Borough of Manhattan Community College studying liberal arts, playing soccer, and painting. 

An Afghan SIV client reflects on his success gained through the IRC's Career Pathways program in Sacramento.

Youth Voices, Issue 2: March 21 is World Poetry Day, and we are highlighting poems written by two middle school students, who were both resettled in Dallas.

Amani Mansour and Samer Abdullah became US Citizens on January 31st, 2019, but their journey towards citizenship began long before, and many countries away from, that moment.

Boi Pessima came to the U.S. in 2005 to reunite with her father and siblings to obtain better care for her daughter Mary but leaving her oldest son behind in Sirra Leone. Five years after receiving her green card, she applied for citizenship but was denied twice. She reached out to the immigration team at the IRC and with their support she was able to pass her interview. Now, fourteen years after her arrival in the U.S., she is a U.S. citizen and is excited to vote.

World Refugee Day is on June 20th! Between June 14th and June 20th (and always) we’re acknowledging the strength and resiliency of our new neighbors, and the talents and skills they bring to our communities here in Arizona.