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History of IRC Charlottesville
The IRC began resettling refugees in Charlottesville, Virginia, in June 1998, in large part because of the low local unemployment rate and entry level job opportunities, but also because of strong community interest and volunteer support. The office now resettles approximately 150 refugees per year in the area. Strongly believing in the capacity of refugees to quickly assume productive lives and to participate in the civic fabric of our community, IRC staff counsel refugees from the moment of arrival that the “American Dream” of home ownership and education for their children is within reach.
IRC Charlottesville has implemented programming to ensure that refugees have support in reaching early self-sufficiency, becoming naturalized citizens, reaching financial security and restoring a sense of hope for the future. We have witnessed time and again the transformation of a family who arrived at our airport with virtually no belongings, went to work within months and saved money faster than we thought possible. Our clients go on to start businesses, buy homes and send their children to college.
The "Flight" Portfolio
In 1964, to raise funds for the expanding efforts of the IRC, Varian Fry, a New York journalist and "American Schindler", began assembling a portfolio by twelve established artists, some of whom he helped rescue from Hitler's regime during WWII. Among those Fry helped to rescue were Hannah Arendt, Andre Breton, Marc Chagall, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Wanda Landowska, Jacques Lipchitz, Heinrich Mann, and Alma Mahle Gropius Werfel. Based on the theme of flight to reflect the plight of the refugees, the porfolio was completed in 1971, four years after Fry's death.
Today, a limited number of the original two hundred and fifty regular edition remain and are offered to benefit the International Rescue Committee and are available for purchase. The unframed portfolios are each priced at $15,000, $7,000 of which is tax deductible as a charitable contribution. The purchase of a portfolio locally will benefit IRC Charlottesville. Interested Purchasers should contact Terri DiCintio at IRC Charlottesville (434.979.7772 or Terri.DiCintio@theIRC.org).
Flight can be viewed by clicking on: www.theIRC.org/resources/flight_sale.pdf
Position Opening
Interpreter Services Coordinator
The Interpreter Services Coordinator coordinates activities of the IRC Community Interpreter Service, ensuring high quality, reliable foreign language interpretation for IRC and the limited English speaking population of Charlottesville. Position available in late November-recruiting NOW! This position is an Americorps VISTA position. Please contact Terri DiCintio at IRC Charlotteville for details (434.979.7772 or Terri.DiCintio@theIRC.org)
The Many Ways You Can Make a Difference
Donate Now. Your support allows our work to continue. For more information, please contact Courtney Cook at charlottesville@theIRC.org or 434.979.7772.
Volunteer: There are many volunteer opportunities available. Please contact Terri DiCintio at Terri.DiCintio@theIRC.org or 434.979.7772 to get involved today!
Car Donations: Limited local public transportation makes it challenging for newly arrived refugees to get to work. IRC Charlottesville donates cars directly to refugee clients making your donation fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information, contact Courtney at charlottesville@theIRC.org or 434.979.7772.
Furniture: To donate couches, tables, or chairs in good condition to be used in a newly-arrived refugee home, please contact Eugeniya Haas at Eugeniya.Haas@theIRC.org or 434.979.7772. * Because we have limited storage space, delivery to the refugee home is greatly appreciated.
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Two young Afghan refugees march in Charlottesville's Dogwood Festival Parade. Photo: Katherine Coleman/IRC
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