On February 4, the IRC in Tallahassee’s staff, refugee clients and volunteers joined fellow advocates from the Florida Immigrant Coalition and We Are All America at the Florida State Capitol for the state’s first ever Refugee Advocacy Day.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, IRC clients John, Beata, Furaha and Dezir were recently hired by a local textile manufacturer that has switched gears to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) for local emergency services departments and front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now in their third week on the job, these resilient new Americans are grateful for the opportunity to work and give back to the community that welcomed them.

Meet Cheryl: Life-long reader, learner and long-time IRC Volunteer

Luis met his wife Ana forty years ago through mutual friends. They quickly fell in love and started a family. Their happy family was soon divided when the effects of the civil war and devastating earthquakes crippled the economy in El Salvador, leading Luis to being laid off from his job and unable to find work. No longer able to provide for his family, he decided to make the long and dangerous journey to the U.S in search of work. 17 years later, his wife and daughter were finally able to join him.