Over the past five years I’ve volunteered with IRC in various ways. One of my most intense experiences was spending two weeks at Fort Bliss, one of the U.S. landing sites for Afghan evacuees after the fall of Kabul. I want to share a few highlights from my experience and give you an inside look at what it means to work and walk alongside IRC staff and clients.

Amidst dramatic drops in refugee arrivals across the nation, the IRC in Boise headed to the Idaho State Capitol to advocate for continued support of resettlement programs and refugee communities. At the Refugee Appreciation Luncheon co-organized by the IRC in Boise, senators and representatives tasted food from refugee-owned businesses, mingling and asking questions of refugee community leaders in attendance. Meanwhile, the IRC in Boise's Advocacy Team met individually with Idaho's majority and minority leadership and the staff of congressional delegates.

The IRC in Denver's Youth Team staff, interns and volunteers facilitates fields trips for clients to Colorado parks all over the front range. The program was funded and supported by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), with the goal to enable immigrant and refugee families and their children to explore the beautiful outdoors of our Colorado mountains.

In observation of Ramadan, the IRC in NY hosted a beautiful Iftar in the office on Wednesday, April 12th. The staff gathered to transform the office into an elegant dining space, setting up tables with dates and water, for clients and friends in attendance. The staff teamed up to host, decorate, and prepare the food for the Iftar. Ahmed, our Senior Finance Manager led the Adhan (call to prayer), after which friends and family prayed the sunset prayer and of course, ate!  

Volunteer, Keith Smith has worked tirelessly on behalf of IRC staff and clients and continues to go the extra mile on behalf of IRC clients.

IRC staff know that steadfast and compassionate support can prevent the loss of young lives—and give families hope for the future.

Civic engagement and voter registration education is a strategic priority of the IRC in Salt Lake City. Helping refugees and new Americans to gain, maintain, and expand their voice within the community is central to the IRC’s global Strategy100. Hear from some of our staff about what is new with civic engagement and advocacy.