New Roots, a program of the IRC in Salt Lake City, oversees 12 community garden sites in the Salt Lake Valley, helping refugee families access personal plots of land to grow food for their households.

“My name is Omid. I am an Iranian. I am a refugee. I am a nutritionist. And, I am a gay man. But above all, I am a human being.” In honor of Pride Month, Omid shares a first-person account of his journey, as well as his hopes for LGBTQ refugees around the world and here in the U.S.

The past year has presented many challenges for our community, but it’s also shown us the tremendous power we have when we come together as neighbors to support one another. Read about how the IRC - with help from our partners and supporters - has helped newcomer families cope with the health, social, educational, and economic impacts of COVID-19.