Offered refuge by the United States, 24-year-old Nelson Versailles Rieu is now serving his new country in the Air Force, where his patriotic spirit caught the attention of the Commander in Chief himself.

In the face of a brutal war—and the anti-refugee agendas pushed by some politicians—resilient Syrians are enduring the unimaginable and generous communities are taking them in. Here are 10 moments from 2016 that gave us a glimpse of the best of humanity.

With support from the International Rescue Committee, Susan Kayongo is able to run her own salon in Nairobi.

Ethiopia is grappling with its worst drought in fifty years, which has affected more than 10 million people.

Volunteering at an IRC-run clinic in Jordan has given this Syrian mother hope to aspire for a better future.

IRC's free financial coaching services have helped hundreds of newly arrived refugees, asylees, and immigrants get on the path to financial success in Southern California. Read about Stella's experience and how her financial coach helped her to not only budget and understand credit, but also gain confidence, feel empowered, and set dreams for her future once again.

With generous support from the Cambia Health Foundation, the IRC in Salt Lake City has been able to develop health and wellbeing programming focused on holistic health outcomes with special attention on broader social determinants of health.

Thanks to a growing partnership with Summit Journeys, monthly outdoor excursions are core to youth engagement at the IRC in Utah, especially for teens working hard to integrate into a new education system and build social connections. The outings offer the chance to try something new while learning essential skills and having fun.