IRC Dallas Regional Office (Dallas and Abilene)

When the West was still wild people wrote signs proclaiming they had "Gone to Texas." Even then Texas was a good place for new beginnings, renewed stability and pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. This is exactly the opportunity the IRC Dallas Regional Office offers refugees from their arrival into Texas communities to their citizenship.

The IRC Dallas Regional Offices helps refugees build new lives in the Abilene, Dallas and Fort Worth areas.  In 1975, the International Rescue committee opened a resettlement program for refugees in Dallas and in November 2003 expanded services to Abilene.  Today, IRC Dallas is one of the largest resettlement agencies in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and during an average year assists more than 500 refugees and asylees.  IRC Abilene is the only resettlement agency in Abilene, Texas assisting approximately 125 refugees each year.  Refugees arrive from countries including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, Burundi, Congo, Cuba, Iraq, Iran and Sudan. 

During three decades of service, the IRC Dallas Regional Office staff, interns and volunteers have assisted refugees with obtaining housing, English language training, health care, and employment. Working together we achieve our overall goal of refugee and asylee self-sufficiency within a few short months of arrival.

In the process of building a new life we help refugees and asylees make a smooth transition to life in the United States. We encourage them to become contributing members of the community and to build a foundation for self–sufficiency. Through our interaction and guidance we introduce them to Texan warmth and friendliness. 

This is a very exciting time for IRC Dallas.  We are truly making a difference, one life at a time! 

GET INVOLVED

There are many volunteer opportunities available.  Get involved today and participate in one of our volunteer programs or create your own individual volunteer plan. For a volunteer application please contact Mellisand.LeRoy@theIRC.org in Dallas and Aly.Shanks@theIRC.org in Abilene.

Volunteer Mentor Program
As a Volunteer Mentor, you will provide friendly support, review basic life skills for self-sufficiency, and share American culture and customs with a newly arrived refugee family. No special skills are needed and our American friends schedule meetings and activities directly with their families.  Please contact Mellisand.LeRoy@theIRC.org in Dallas and Aly.Shanks@theIRC.org in Abilene.

Refugee Event Planning Committee
Join our event committee and work with other volunteers to plan fun events in Dallas for our refugees and their families. From Holiday parties to soccer games, our newly developed committee will help refugee families explore and learn about their new community. Please contact Debi.Wheeler@theIRC.org

Intern with the IRC
Our interns perform a number of duties including helping with initial services, finding job development opportunities, involvement in public education, or advocating for awareness of refugees. Please contact Mellisand.LeRoy@theIRC.org in Dallas and Aly.Shanks@theIRC.org in Abilene.

DONTATE:

Your support allows our work to continue.  You can help refugees in Dallas and Abilene by volunteering or with your cash donation.  

Donate Now to support the IRC in Dallas.  Your cash donation will support programs and direct services of the IRC, thus enhancing social services provided to the Dallas refugee community. 

Furniture and Household Appliances &Supplies:  Donate household appliances, household supplies, TVs, CD players, couches, tables, or chairs in good condition for a newly-arrived refugee's home. * Because we have limited storage space, delivery of donated furniture to the refugee home is greatly appreciated.

Car Donations: Limited local public transportation makes it challenging for newly arrived refugees to get to work.  IRC Dallas and IRC Abilene donate cars directly to refugee clients making your donation fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. 

For more information, please contact Mellisand.LeRoy@theIRC.org at the IRC Dallas and Aly.Shanks@theIRC.org at the IRC Abilene.

**The IRC is a 501(c)3 organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by the law.