The IRC in Atlanta’s partnership with the Technology Career Program (TCP) at TechBridge—an Information Technology (IT) training course—has helped more than 20 refugees and immigrants to gain a head start in the rapidly growing technology industry over the past year. One recent TCP graduate, Maiwand—who was evacuated from Afghanistan last fall—has gone above and beyond in his commitment to the program, and shares with us below his journey to rebuilding his life and career here in Atlanta.

On Valentine’s Day, the IRC in Atlanta’s staff, clients and volunteers joined nearly 300 fellow advocates at the Georgia State Capitol for the tenth annual New Americans Celebration (NAC).

The IRC in Atlanta’s Career Development and Adult Education programs, in collaboration with Gwinnett Dental Career Academy (GDCA), recently graduated a second cohort of three former refugees—all young women from Afghanistan—through their Integrated Education and Training (IET) Dental Assistant course, a ten-week program focused on certifying new Americans in dental care and placing them in jobs.

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.

Utah remains committed to being a welcoming community for the world’s refugee population—get involved and send a message of hope to refugees arriving to the Beehive State!

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Nael and Manar left their business behind when they fled Iraq, last year they opened a new shop in Spring Valley.

Raffi Gostanian came to the United States from Syria 15 years ago on a student visa. A jazz musician who plays the saxophone and piano, he intended to study music but graduated with a political science degree from William Paterson University. As a front desk volunteer at IRC for the last 10 months, Raffi has diligently trekked twice a week from Paterson, home to a large Arab community, to IRC’s office in Elizabeth.

IRC clients in need of food are receiving meals prepared by World Central Kitchen. For clients with mobility issues, volunteers from Peace City Church are delivering meals directly to their apartments.