August and September are school enrollment season for the IRC in New York Youth team. With schools closed over the summer, there is typically a backlog of students needing to enroll in school for the first time since arriving in the US. This past school enrollment cycle, the IRC in NY’s Youth Programs team enrolled over 40 youth into the public school system. This is double the number of enrollments from last year!

The IRC in NJ held its 7th annual Refugee Youth Summer Academy this year. The 3-week summer academy was held at Kean University, with over 100 newly arrived students in attendance!

We are continuously addressing the current and potential impacts this outbreak will have on IRC programs in Northern California (Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose, Turlock/Modesto). IRC is providing critical information in all relevant languages to IRC employees, volunteers, refugees, victims of trafficking, asylees, and other hard-to-reach populations. We are working hard to ensure families have access to life essentials: food, internet and devices, cash assistance and all eligible public benefits.

After three years of dedicated service, Tara is departing IRC Northern California.

Rabia Afghan and her family arrived in the United States in April 2022 as part of “Operation Allies Welcome,” fleeing the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. Initially welcomed by IRC staff member Bill Tuffin in Virginia, their paths crossed again in January 2023 when Bill, now an Employment Specialist at the IRC in Denver, was tasked with helping Rabia find employment. Despite language barriers and the challenges of resettlement, Rabia secured a job at a local hotel and, through determination and support from the IRC, was promoted within two years. Her story highlights the critical role of community support in helping refugees rebuild their lives and the ongoing challenges they face in their new homes.

Open House at the IRC in New Jersey

Today, we spotlight a cornerstone of the IRC in Atlanta's programming, the Logistics team, whose work provides the foundation for helping our clients to become self-sufficient, thriving individuals within the Atlanta community.

On May 21st, the IRC in Silver Spring celebrated World Day for Cultural Diversity.