Peggy is a housing set-up volunteer who loves collecting things for the community

One of the IRC's first priorities when refugees arrive in Northern California is to help employable adults secure jobs that will allow them to begin covering expenses and building a new life. Some clients arrive with the professional background and necessary skills to pursue a career similar to that in their home country. To help with this, the IRC offers career development programming to clients who have already secured their survival job and are interested and ready to move forward. 

Ali Amry prepares to launch his food business with support from classes offered by the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City, including a Social Media Marketing Workshop series. Since then, he has learned about promotional email strategy and built out a social media presence. 

IRC offices across the nation have offered New Roots programs for many years, providing opportunities for refugees to participate in sustainable agricultural practices and receive nutrition education. Yet in the heart of California’s Central Valley—the agricultural hub of the state—no such program had existed.

That all changed May 8, as four Afghan families helped launch a new sustainable agriculture program for the IRC in Turlock/Modesto. Participants gathered at Turlock Community Gardens to plant crops typically grown in their home country such as okra, muskmelons and Persian cucumbers as well as fruits and vegetables more commonly grown such as tomatoes, strawberries and bell peppers.

Learn more about GenR: NY's recent Leadership Committee meeting