This summer, children seeking asylum in the U.S. participated in the IRC in LA’s first ever ESL and financial literacy program. On their last day, they received certificates of completion and celebrated with IRC staff and volunteers. It may be their first “graduation” here in the U.S., but we’re certain it won’t be their last.

Check out our highlights and success stories from the month of August.

Each year in May, the state of Idaho engages in a single day of statewide donations towards non-profits in celebration of their charitable work.

Eh Kaw Thaw recently graduated high school with honors. In the fifth installment of our Youth Voices series, she writes a letter to her younger self, a newly-resettled refugee in Dallas.

In the first installation of Youth Voices, a Dallas high school student, resettled by the IRC in 2013, pens an essay on the importance of African and African American historical representation in school.

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. 

Youth Mentoring Program members work to help restore historic African American Evergreen Cemetery.

We are thrilled to share with you the stories of refugee community members who have been welcomed to a new home in Tallahassee—in their own words, as shared with our elected leaders.