Each spring, the IRC in San Diego provides free tax preparation as part of the IRS VITA (Virtual Income Tax Assistance) program. In 2019, the program filed over 3,500 returns and generated more than $5 million in refunds for low-income San Diego families. This tremendous impact would not be possible without the hard work of our incredible volunteers, who work as IRS-certified tax preparers from mid-January through April.

Our impact: From supporting refugee youth in their next step of their academic careers to continuing to provide life-changing case management support to asylum-seeking families, the IRC in San Diego is pleased to share a brief look into what we have accomplished this Spring.

It was October 16, and there were over 280 people filling into SOMArts gallery in downtown San Francisco. This was GenR’s Force for Change event, where there was an outdoor bar with a DJ, and a huge gallery space full of tables of cookies and kabobs from Afghanistan, salads from Burma, and sweets from Syria. In a black box room off to the side of the gallery, there were huge photographs, propped up on easels, of refugees girls ages 8 through 11 embodying what they want to be when they grow up. The girls, who live all around the Bay Area, were posing as doctors, lawyers, and rock stars, in culmination of an empowerment workshop called The Vision Project, which was formed in collaboration with IRC. Guests milled around, observing, eating, enjoying themselves, and then they were gathered around a stage in the main gallery.  This was where the speech was going to take place.

At IRC Washington, we play a pivotal role in the local refugee resettlement landscape, providing essential services to help individuals and families transition smoothly. By partnering with Community Support Groups through our Co-Sponsorship Program, we aim to combine our resources and expertise to make a substantial and meaningful contribution to local refugee resettlement efforts.

The IRC in Salt Lake City partnered with the Rape Recovery Center to increase education opportunities focused on sexual violence prevention education, focusing on engaging groups of men and boys to access vital resources and engage in group discussion.

Judy Denison has been volunteering with the IRC in Denver for many years, but she has supported refugees for much longer. She works to serve her community through collaborative, mutually-empowering relationships.

Former competitive runner places 2nd in his division in the 2018 Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon, only four months after resettling in Dallas.

Resources for families to explore and learn more about how to support refugees in Virginia. Join IRC in Charlottesville and Richmond for a camping event in support of refugee families.