Community Resources and Development

Agency Spotlight

Community Resources & Development recognizes...

the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which responds to some of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive and rebuild their lives. The IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war and disaster in more than 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities. Salt Lake City's IRC opened its doors in 1994 and has since resettled nearly 8,000 refugees from more than 15 different countries. The minute these brave individuals and families step off the plane in Salt Lake City, IRC staff and volunteers are there to help them on the final leg of their journey from harm to home.

In the past year, October 2010 through September 2011:

■ 405 refugees, 151 of them under 18, were welcomed to Salt Lake City by IRC.

■ 955 individuals received 24 months of case management.

■ 6,000 health appointments were scheduled and 140 nutrition education classes were taught.

■ 16 refugee market gardeners earned $2,300 selling produce at the Neighborhood Farm Stand with IRC assistance.

■ 120 pre-employment and 40 basic computer classes were taught to refugees, and 75 adult refugees were assisted in finding employment.

■ IRC helped 60 refugees with citizenship applications, 347 with green cards, and 22 with relative petitions to reunite families.

■ The agency provided more than $150,000 in donated goods to refugee families.

■ IRC placed 238 volunteers and interns among the refugee community, contributing the equivalent of $102,000 in volunteer hours.