International Rescue Committee in New York & New Jersey

Join us on June 7th for IRC’s annual States Lay the Foundation Summit! During this virtual event, the IRC will bring together a group of bipartisan state legislators speaking to the bills and policies they have advanced which welcome and support the integration of refugees in their states.
Registration here: https://rescue.zoom.us/webinar/register/5717123497826/WN_Z9MzII76SjiyOTUujX2rNg #/registration

A message from our new Executive Director, Tina-Marie Lopez!

IRC in NYNJ 2024 Emergency Fundraiser: Message from Executive Director The International Rescue Committee helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of th...

Sign up for citizenship classes!

Citizenship Project | Upcoming Classes and Programs | New-York Historical Society The New-York Historical Society offers free online citizenship classes for green card holders preparing for the naturalization interview.

Join us for a FREE Naturalization (Citizenship) seminar Thursday, November 30, 12 pm - 1:30 pm. Come with any and all questions you have regarding the naturalization process. Open to all.

Join us for a FREE Naturalization (Citizenship) seminar Friday, October 27 10 am - 11:30 am. Come with any and all questions you have regarding the naturalization process. Open to all.

The New Americans Resource Center is a monthly pop-up organized by a coalition of civil society, government and service organizations to provide an array of services, food and clothing resources and education all in one spot to New Americans of all origins.

After a pause for the summer, the pop-ups resumed on September 27th. Attorneys from Make the Road NJ and International Rescue Committee offered a bilingual group orientation to asylum-seeking community members focused on the asylum process and navigating immigration court proceedings. Approximately 150 community members participated, walking away with much needed knowledge, clothing for themselves and their families and smiles on their faces.
One woman came to our first pop-up with one of her children, who was wheel chair bound. She spent the entire 4+ hours assisting our staff with sorting clothing. It was the first of these pop-ups and no one knew exactly what to expect. That event was a huge success with a turn out of over 450 people and an extremely generous amount of clothing donations. An overwhelming amount to be honest. This woman, a New American herself, not only generously gave of her time and energy to assist our staff with sorting and organizing, but showed a generosity of spirit as well. In the end she walked away with only 5 or 6 much needed items for herself and her family, wanting to be judicious in her selection so that others could have the opportunity to obtain needed clothing for themselves and their families.

This same woman came again to the September 27th pop-up, and again spent hours helping staff and other community members. She spent two hours making sure another woman with a young baby strapped to her chest could get the items she needed. The baby’s feet were exposed and cold on the chilly day.
Our hearts and spirits are touched and inspired every day by the people we work with and for.

Present at our last pop up:
International Rescue Committee, Make the Road NJ, Jefferson Park Ministries Inc, Union County Division of Social Services, Workforce Advantage, Second Street Youth Center, African Diaspora for Justice, United Way of Greater Union County, New Jersey Citizen Action, NJ Department of Health, NJ Department of Human Services, Office of New Americans, Neighborhood Health Services (COVID team), Elizabeth Coaliton to House the Homeless.

Other organizations integral to the creation of the Resource Center and present on a rotational basis: St. Joseph Social Service Center, Jewish Family Services, Refugee Assistance Partners, Community Food Bank of NJ, Josephine's Place, Family and Children's Services, Families and Community Together (FACT), (RCAO)Rahway Community Action Organization, Partnership for Maternal and Child Health, PROCEED Inc., The Leaguers, Union County Youth Services, IRIS House

Are you looking for meaningful ways to give back? Contact [email protected] to learn about community engagement opportunities!

In honor of World Refugee Day, the International Rescue Committee in New Jersey hosted an open house on Tuesday, June 20 for the first time since the pandemic. Everyone was invited and guests learned about the IRC in NJ’s programming and services, ways to get involved, and help IRC and its newcomers. The turnout was wonderful, with local agencies, service providers, and community members visiting the office to connect with staff and clients.

Full story at the link below.

Open House at the IRC in New Jersey Open House at the IRC in New Jersey

The New York Youth Education Team hosted the first Newcomers Youth Mini-Academy this past April! The program invited migrant youth, ages 11-17 years old, who have recently arrived in the U.S. to engage and create a community with other students that may have shared experiences. This program included community building and Social-Emotional Learning classes, along with a field trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Additionally, The Migrant Kitchen graciously donated meals that were provided for the program, and we are happy to say meals were a hit! Many thanks to The Migrant Kitchen for their generosity and partnership in making a short week of learning memorable for academy students.

Join us in celebrating ! The ’s Financial Capabilities program strives to
promote, advocate for, and support financial literacy efforts across the
U.S.

“I would recommend IRC, to other, individuals, families, and community members,
who are in need of assistance with financial help or need to rebuild their credit. It
was such a pleasure to work with IRC, and have such positive results.”
Yasmeen is a long-time IRC client. This year has been especially difficult for her
household due to health and financial complications that have led to a decrease in
income to cover basic needs. IRC provided financial coaching to Yasmeen in June to
rebuild credit from 0, work on a budget, discuss how to access additional sources of
income to start saving up, and access 2 loans: CBL and 0% Resilience. She was also
assisted with additional resources to cover basic household needs. Her financial
situation has improved in the past 3 months and her credit score continues to
rebuild.

“The staff really care. This organization, IRC wants to make a difference in our lives.
They are doing something about it.”

Spring and Summer clothing donations needed for newly arrived refugee families in NJ. Please email [email protected] to coordinate pick up and drop-off.

Join us in celebrating ! The
’s Financial Capabilities program strives to
promote, advocate for, and support financial literacy efforts across the
U.S.

Ali and his family left Afghanistan in search of a better life and arrived in Salt Lake
City, Utah. He eventually secured a job at a logistics company as a delivery driver and
joined IRC’s Individual Development Account savings program to work on his money
management skills. After several months of saving and learning more about the U.S.
the financial system, Ali was able to purchase a used vehicle, which made it easier for
him to commute to work and take his children to school.

Ali did not stop there - he wanted to learn more about investing and how to make
the most of his hard-earned money. Now, Ali is attending workshops, consulting with
financial coaches, and actively researching to find the best investments.
Thanks to his perseverance, Ali and his family have built a stable and secure life in
the U.S.

Join us in celebrating ! The
’s Financial Capabilities program strives to
promote, advocate for and support financial literacy efforts across the
U.S. Aisha, a single mom of three originally from Afghanistan, is an ambitious client and the IRC’s Financial Capabilities program has seen her grow and succeed with her
finances. With credit education from the program, she was able to build her credit
and buy a better car. Eventually, Aisha found that starting her own trucking business
would be a great way to manage her expenses without working overtime. The
program again assisted her in pursuing this interest by reviewing credit education
and supporting Aisha in applying for a CEO Education/Training Loan to pay for her
CDL classes. After her financial goal of purchasing her own truck and getting the
business running, Aisha hopes to purchase a home in the U.S. She manages her
expenses well so that she can provide for her family and allow her children to focus
on attaining their education. The many credit sessions she has attended and the
other financial literacy and advice the program provides have helped her through
this financial journey.

During , we want to express our gratitude to all our . We could not do what we do without you!

Thank you, #IRCVolunteers! David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, thanks IRC volunteers with a special video message.http://www.Rescue.org/VolunteersP...

Thank you to all of our ! We appreciate your hard work and dedication.

Join us in celebrating ! The
’s Financial Capabilities program strives to promote, advocate for and support financial literacy efforts across the U.S.
Jorge and Daysi came to the U.S. with their now three-year-old daughter in October2020 as refugees from El Salvador. Resettled into their new home in New Jersey and securing jobs, they soon learned that access to transportation is essential.
After he purchased a high-interest-rate car, Jorge found his way to the New Jersey IRC’s Financial Capabilities program, who reminded Jorge of its services, including access to the IRC’s Center of Economic Opportunity’s (CEO) Auto Refinance Loan. By
refinancing his car through CEO, Jorge and his family saved lots of money they would have lost to interest on their original loan.
In addition, with support from Wells Fargo’s Rebuilding The Lives of New Americans program, the Financial Capabilities team provided coaching on how to best save money for future financial goals and supported Daysi in budgeting and accessing the
CEO’s $100 Credit-Building Loan to start her credit history. In the long term, they hope to buy another car for Daysi and a home in the US, learn English, get their daughter into a good school, and attain citizenship.