International Rescue Committee - Silver Spring, MD

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the leading providers of services for refugees, asylees and asylum seekers, victims of trafficking and other vulnerable immigrants in cities across the United States. Over the last 40 years, the IRC has helped settle nearly 400,000 refugees from 120 countries.

In Silver Spring and other U.S. cities, we provide an array of services aimed at helping clients survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities, such as:

• Resettlement support—We welcome refugees upon their arrival, help newcomers settle in a furnished apartment, provide English language classes, enroll children in school, and help families acclimate to local systems and culture during their critical first months as new Americans.

• Immigration and Citizenship – A Board of Immigration-accredited legal services provider since 1958, the IRC offers low-cost, high-quality immigration services, as well as support along pathways to obtaining American citizenship.

• Economic Empowerment – Economic empowerment programs help refugees and other recent immigrants gain employment, start businesses and become financially stable, ensuring they get back on their feet quickly and are accorded the dignity of self-reliance.

• Mental Health – The IRC’s mental health programs empower refugees to come to terms with their experiences and develop healthy relationships, enabling them to navigate the challenges of establishing a new home in a profoundly unfamiliar environment.

• New Roots – Currently active in 13 U.S. cities, the IRC’s New Roots program develops urban gardens, farms, and markets and offers culturally-appropriate nutrition, job skills, and leadership training that benefits refugees, immigrants and their neighbors.

• Women’s Empowerment – Refugee women and girls face unique challenges as they adjust to their new lives in the United States. Our staff works to ensure that female clients are healthy, educated and able to contribute to a society where they are valued and empowered.

Your support of IRC Silver Spring gives a gift that helps refugees rebuild their lives and enrich the fabric of our community.