Abdelgabar Mohamdian is a farmer at heart. He grew crops and raised livestock in Sudan. Now, 17 years after he came to the United States, he is growing vegetables and making them available to the community through the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Phoenix’s New Roots weekly produce box program.

In addition to health concerns during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many families faced dual concerns about dwindling food supplies. For those who came to the Bay Area as refugees and asylees, it was an unwarranted second wave of crisis to handle after the saga of arriving in the U.S.

New Roots kicks off the growing season with its first volunteer work day at IRC's 4th St. Community Garden

Students at Sabot Stony Point deliver over 300 school supplies to the IRC in Richmond

Four clients share their stories about how IRC's financial capability program has assisted them during the pandemic.

Despite pandemic related challenges, the family has had many successes.

Meet Olivia: Social Worker, nature enthusiast and IRC Youth Program Volunteer

Meet Betsy: Educator, Mother and Long-time IRC Volunteer

Meet Leane: Social worker, world traveler, community advocate & IRC Anti-Trafficking Intern

Earlier this year RAI-US launched the Pathways to Careers in Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration Scholarship Opportunity, as a new resource to diversify and enhance the talent pipeline, specifically targeting RAI-US internships. The scholarship’s main objective is to promote career paths in humanitarian work for BIPOC and/or immigrant populations and further our commitment to a diverse and inclusive internship experience. After receiving 35 applications from RAI-US interns, 8 interns have been selected to receive a $5,000 scholarship. One of those eight was chosen from the IRC in Oakland. Oakland is excited to introduce this year’s scholarship recipient: Gianna D’Arrigo!