International Council for Refugees and Immigrants

10/29/2026

📣 Today is the last day to vote for ICRI in the Anthem Community Voice Awards.

Our project, From Refuge to Innovation: STEM Opportunities for Refugee Youth, was selected as a finalist in the STEM/STEAM Education category and is now competing for the Community Voice Award. The project was chosen from more than 2,500 entries worldwide.

If you haven't voted yet, there's still time.

To vote for ICRI, visit bit.ly/VoteICRI, find "From Refuge to Innovation: STEM Opportunities for Refugee Youth," click "Celebrate," and sign in to confirm your vote.

⏰ Voting closes tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT (1:59 a.m. CDT).

Thank you to everyone who has already voted and helped share our work with others!

Join me in celebrating the impact of this Anthem Awards finalist.

10/28/2026

Join us on November 19, 2026 for the Refugee & Immigrant Entrepreneur Summit (RIES), bringing together entrepreneurs, business leaders, educators, financial institutions, and resource providers from across Nebraska.

We're excited to feature an outstanding lineup of guest speakers and panelists representing business development, lending, entrepreneurship, economic development, legal services, coaching, and community leadership. Throughout the day, attendees will gain practical insights, learn from experienced professionals, and connect with organizations dedicated to supporting business growth and success.

Whether you're exploring a new business idea, growing an existing business, looking for funding opportunities, or seeking valuable connections, RIES offers opportunities to learn, network, and access resources that support your entrepreneurial journey.

✅ Guest speakers and panel discussions
✅ Educational workshops
✅ Networking opportunities
✅ Resource & exhibitor tables
✅ Lunch provided
✅ Access to business resources and support services

Refugee and immigrant-owned businesses are eligible for a FREE exhibitor table to showcase their products and services. Email [email protected] to receive a promotional code.

Interested in supporting entrepreneurship in our community? Sponsorship, exhibitor, and partnership opportunities are still available.

🔗 Register today: bit.ly/RIES2026

10/28/2026

📣 Last Chance to Vote for ICRI in the Anthem Awards!

Tomorrow is the final day to vote in the 2026 Anthem Community Voice Awards. Our project, From Refuge to Innovation: STEM Opportunities for Refugee Youth, is a finalist in the STEM/STEAM Education category, and we'd be grateful for your support.

To vote for ICRI, visit bit.ly/VoteICRI, find "From Refuge to Innovation: STEM Opportunities for Refugee Youth," click "Celebrate," and sign in to confirm your vote.

⏰ Voting closes October 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT (1:59 a.m. CDT).

Thank you for helping us support refugee youth and expand access to STEM opportunities!

10/20/2026

🎉 ICRI Named a Finalist in the 6th Annual Anthem Awards!

We are proud to share that the International Council for Refugees and Immigrants (ICRI) has been named a finalist in the 6th Annual Anthem Awards for From Refuge to Innovation: STEM Opportunities for Refugee Youth in the STEM/STEAM Education category.

Selected from more than 2,500 entries from around the world, this project is now in consideration alongside other high-scoring social impact initiatives. The Anthem Awards recognize purpose-driven work and organizations creating positive social impact worldwide.

💙 Now we need your help

We're competing for the Anthem Community Voice Award, which is determined by public voting. Voting is open through October 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. (1:59 a.m. CDT)

To vote, visit: bit.ly/VoteICRI

Find "From Refuge to Innovation: STEM Opportunities for Refugee Youth" and click Celebrate. You'll be prompted to sign in with Google or create an account to confirm your vote. You can also search for the project title or International Council for Refugees and Immigrants, Inc. directly on the Anthem Awards voting site.

Thank you for helping us celebrate this recognition and support opportunities that empower refugee youth through STEM education!

10/06/2026

💙 Thank you Nebraska Methodist College Mobile Diabetes Center team for joining us again during today's Walk-In Day to provide free health screenings, individualized health education, and, for the first time, free flu shots to our clients and community members.

During today's session, 48 people were served, with 44 receiving blood pressure screenings, 43 receiving blood glucose screenings, 41 receiving Hemoglobin A1c screenings, and 41 receiving flu shots.

After getting screened, participants also received individualized education to help them better understand their results and take the next steps toward maintaining their health.

We are grateful for this ongoing partnership and for the opportunity to connect refugee and immigrant families with important preventive health services.

10/01/2026

🎓 We are proud to celebrate the participants who successfully completed ICRI’s Information Technology (IT) Bootcamp. This IT bootcamp conducted in partnership with the University of Georgia, was apart of our Somali Youth Workforce and Enterprise Development initiative. Throughout the three-month program, over 40 youth came together and built valuable digital and technical skills that can help open doors to employment, entrepreneurship, and future educational opportunities.

These certificates represent more than the completion of a training program. They reflect perseverance, growth, and the equipment of skills to pursue opportunities in an increasingly digital world.

Congratulations to each member of the cohort on this accomplishment! 🌟

09/03/2026

What comes after survival?

During UNGA / NYC Climate Week 2026, ICRI Founder & CEO Deeqow Diriye will co-lead a conversation with Bridget Kane, Director of Engagement at Glasswing International , and Shelby Quackenbush , Communications Manager at Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative, exploring what it takes for refugees to rebuild their lives beyond crisis.

Hosted by The Sidebar, Beyond Survival: What Does It Take for Refugees to Rebuild Their Lives? will examine how economic opportunity, wellbeing, safety, technology access, and community support contribute to long-term self-reliance and stability for refugees.

We look forward to joining leaders across sectors to discuss solutions that move beyond immediate response and toward lasting opportunity for displaced communities.

📅 September 21, 2026
🕦 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EDT
📍 New York, NY

🔗 Event Registration: luma.com/qk9oad8e

08/19/2026

Today on , we're reminded that one opportunity can be life-changing.

Nearly ten years after arriving to the Dadaab Refugee Camps, ICRI Founder & CEO, Dekow Sagar had reached a point where simply surviving was no longer enough. He had lost years of education, having only completed the seventh grade, and was living with deep frustration and hopelessness.

Then, one ordinary day, everything changed.

While visiting a Doctors Without Borders hospital, he saw a job posting on a notice board. He didn't meet the requirements. He was too young, lacked the required education, and had no connections to advocate for him.

But he applied anyway.

Dr. Philip Ejikon, who oversaw the recruitment process, chose to look beyond what was on paper and gave Dekow a fair opportunity to demonstrate his potential. Out of more than 86 candidates, he was selected.

That opportunity provided training, mentorship, a professional network, and most importantly, a new direction in life. It became his pivot moment.

Reflecting on that experience today, Dekow often thinks about how differently his life might have unfolded if Dr. Philip had judged him solely by his age, education, appearance, or circumstances instead of investing in his potential.

That single opportunity not only changed the course of his life, but also helped inspire the founding of the International Council for Refugees and Immigrants (ICRI).

Today, his message is simple but powerful:
Be someone's Dr. Philip.

Humanitarianism is not only about responding to emergencies. It's about creating opportunities, opening doors, mentoring others, and investing in human potential.

Read Dekow's full World Humanitarian Day reflection:
🔗 mailchi.mp/icrius.org/world-humanitarian-day-2026

08/13/2026

💙 The Mobile Diabetes Center from Nebraska Methodist College is coming back to ICRI!

Join us on our next Walk-In Day for free, non-diagnostic health screenings and individualized health education.

📅 Tuesday, August 18, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
📍 7315 Maple St., Omaha, NE 68134

Available screenings include:
✔️ Blood Pressure
✔️ Blood Glucose
✔️ Hemoglobin A1c (for pre-diabetics and individuals with Type 2 diabetes)
✔️ Individualized Test Result Education

Screenings will take place inside the building. Diabetes screenings require a finger poke. Fasting is encouraged but not required. The questionnaire, screening, results, and education process may take up to 15 minutes.

Take a step toward better health and learn more about your numbers. No appointment needed!

07/31/2026

With the support of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC, Conagra Brands , and Farm Credit Services of America, this past Tuesday we were able to provide a day of education, outreach, and food assistance for immigrant and refugee families in our community.

Through funding from AAJC, we hosted several educational sessions throughout the day, reaching groups of up to 20 participants at a time.

These sessions covered the rights and responsibilities of Legal Permanent Residents, with a focus on understanding activities that may result in deportation or removal proceedings and how individuals can protect their status.

We also distributed food-restricted gift cards made possible by Conagra and Farm Credit Services of America:

🥕 Farm Credit Services of America - $3,000 awarded
• 40 $75 Aldi gift cards distributed
• 187 total individuals impacted

🛒 Conagra - $10,000 awarded
• 130 Walmart gift cards distributed:
(50 valued at $100, 40 valued at $75, and 40 valued at $50)
• 586 total individuals impacted

Together, these food distribution efforts supported 170 households and 773 household members.

Thank you AAJC, Conagra, and Farm Credit Services of America for helping make these opportunities and resources possible for the families we serve! 💙

We are also grateful for community donations that we were able to distribute earlier this month. This included gift bags with birthday cake baking kits to help families celebrate and create memories together. 🎂