Building on seventy-five years of experience, the International Rescue Committee helps refugees in New York and New Jersey regain a sense of stability, security, and self-respect.  At the New York and New Jersey IRC Refugee Resettlement offices, refugees learn how to become self-sufficient, contributing members of their new communities.  Our staff and volunteers believe that, in making the transition to life in the U.S., a refugee’s greatest resource is him or herself, so we assist our clients in translating their skills, interests, and past experiences into assets that are valuable in their new communities. We do this by providing recent refugee families and children with essentials such as food, shelter, medical assistance, and school placement, orienting them to their new homes, and helping them on their journeys toward meaningful employment, literacy, and English language ability.

Brooklyn Brewery IRC Refugee Youth Benefit

This event raised over $10,000 for the Refugee Youth Summer Program!  Thanks to all who donated!  If you were not able to attend, but would still like to help, please donate! 

Volunteer! - Use your skills to help refugees

Intern! - Apply now for IRC New York Summer 2009 Internships

Help! - Lend a helping hand to refugee families and children

Donate!  The following items also help refugee families begin new lives in our community; we happily accept these donations:

• Make a monetary donation
• Backpacks and school supplies
• Gift Cards to local grocery stores or clothing stores
• Metrocards - $4, $25, and $81 
• Baby Strollers and Car Seats, clean and in good condition
• Sets of dishes and silverware
• Warm winter coats, gloves, hats and boots
• Gently used blankets, sheets, pillows and towels
• Cell phones 
• Laptops

Donations are tax deductible

Adopt a family by providing the most basic of household goods!  For a family profile and a list of donations the family has requested, please e-mail NewYork@theIRC.org.

IN THE NEWS

Watch Video "Long Trip Brings Beautiful Music" Read about the Refugee Youth Program and their work with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas and The Academy

Listen to a radio story about Bhutanese refugees

Check the Blog:  From Exile to Refuge about a refugee family from Bhutan living in the Bronx

Watch video of reunited Iraqi band * Read the New York Times article about Acrassicauda * Listen to an NPR story about the Iraqi heavy metal band

See pictures of the Refugee Youth trip to President Obama's inauguration

Read a USA Today Article about GiveTHANKS - Nov 2008

Listen to a WNYC story about the IRC Summer Youth Program

Read a New York Times article profiling an IRC client