International Rescue Committee in Louisville, KY

Background

Since 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been helping people seeking refuge from war, persecution, and now, the effects of climate crisis. Founded at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Through the Resettlement, Asylum and Integration (RAI) program in the US, the IRC welcomes newly arrived families and gives them the tools and support they need to rebuild their lives in safety, dignity, and freedom. 

The IRC in Louisville

While the IRC works globally, the IRC in Louisville serves our local community, making positive change in our clients' lives here and strengthening the support network for all refugees, asylees, and other vulnerable immigrant populations. 

The IRC in Louisville began serving refugee clients in September 2022 with a team of five, welcoming more than 170 refugees to our community from Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, and Syria in our first fiscal year. Now, with a team of 21 and growing, we have expanded our capacity to serve asylees, Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders (SIVs), Cuban-Haitian Entrants, refugees, and secondary migrants. Since opening, our local team has welcomed more than 525 arrivals to Louisville; of those, 460 were refugees and half were youth under the age of 18. In the coming year, we anticipate serving more than 1,000 new clients. 

Programs & Services

IRC Louisville currently offers the following: 

• Reception & Placement (R&P) - The core of our resettlement work. From the moment refugees arrive in Louisville, the IRC is there to help orient them to the community and support them as they begin their journey to rebuild their lives. IRC caseworkers pick refugee families up at the airport, help them settle into their first home, assist them with obtaining basic services, and getting acclimated to their new community. 
• Economic Empowerment & Employment - Louisville staff and volunteers help our clients build economic stability through job readiness training, job search and placement services, transportation orientations, and post-placement follow-up. At present, the average starting salary for our clients is over $17 per hour with full benefits. 
• Education & Youth Services (EYS) - We ensure every child is enrolled in school, support continuing education for adults, and connect families with additional resources. We facilitate enrollment in English Language Training (ELT) classes through a partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools; access to these classes helps refugees qualify for better-paying jobs and integrate more quickly into the community. And for youth and their families, our youth program beginning this 2024-2025 school year will provide additional focused care and aid to both parents and students in navigating and adjusting to their school environment through afterschool programming, parent and student orientations, and dedicated EYS staff to be there every step of the way as we invest in the next generation in our community.
• Immigration & U.S. Systems - We provide basic assistance with immigration matters, secure client social security cards and state IDs, and guide our clients in understanding U.S. systems such as tax filings. 
• Intensive Case Management (ICM) - Some refugees face circumstances that make it difficult to secure employment quickly, or cultural barriers that require additional support to navigate American systems independently. Others face a new crisis after an initial period of stability. For those clients with additional challenges, we provide a higher level of support beyond their initial 90-day resettlement period, for up to five years after arrival.

Visit our "Support Needed" tab to learn more about our clients' biggest needs and our top funding priorities!