IRCO Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization

IRCO Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization Welcoming, serving, and empowering refugees, immigrants, and people across cultures and generations.

This Pride Month, we celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ (2 Spirit, Le***an, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/questioning, and other...
06/01/2026

This Pride Month, we celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ (2 Spirit, Le***an, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/questioning, and other q***r identities) community. We honor our q***r siblings and leaders, past and present, whose courage and advocacy have helped forward the ongoing struggle for equity and equality. 🌈

Did you know the first gay rights organization in the United States was founded by an immigrant? 2SLGBTQ+ immigrants have long helped shape movements for justice, belonging, and human rights in the United States.

This month and beyond, we celebrate the resilience, contributions, and stories of 2SLGBTQ+ immigrants and refugees in our communities.

+

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Voices of the World: IRCO Gala 2026. Together, we welcomed 275 guests for an eve...
05/29/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Voices of the World: IRCO Gala 2026. Together, we welcomed 275 guests for an evening celebrating community, culture, and collective impact as we honored IRCO’s 50th anniversary.

Thanks to the generosity of our attendees, sponsors, volunteers, auction donors, performers, and partners, the Gala exceeded its fundraising goal, raising over $310,000 and generating critical support for IRCO’s programs and services for immigrant and refugee communities across the region.

In remarks reflecting on IRCO’s 50-year journey, Executive Director Lee Po Cha shared his experience arriving in Oregon as a refugee from Laos in 1978 and later joining IRCO as a summer youth counselor — beginning a 45-year journey with the organization. His story echoed the foundation of IRCO itself: an organization built by refugees who believed newcomers deserved not only the chance to survive, but to belong and thrive.

As Lee shared during the evening, “Our purpose has never only been about services or programs. It is about belonging.”

The evening was a powerful reminder of what is possible when communities come together to invest in belonging, opportunity, and a more connected future for all.

We are deeply grateful for your support and partnership.

Links to the full event photo albums will be shared in a separate post in the coming days.

Photo credits: Brian Burk & Patric Simon

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we're honored to see IRCO's Pacific Islander & Asi...
05/27/2026

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we're honored to see IRCO's Pacific Islander & Asian Family Center (PIAFC) featured by . 🌏✨

Thank you for helping share the stories and strength of our community.

Check out the full clip linked on our website: https:// irco.org/irco-piafc-koin-6/

#ААРІ

"Growing up in Portland, my family experienced years of housing instability despite my mom's long career in local nonpro...
05/21/2026

"Growing up in Portland, my family experienced years of housing instability despite my mom's long career in local nonprofits. We moved between shelters, motels, and temporary housing while navigating the complex web of support systems. Throughout that time, stable housing often felt out of reach.

Our first connection to IRCO came through a caseworker who helped us secure a placement at Bradley Angle. That support created our first meaningful path toward stability and allowed me to finish high school on time—something that had once felt uncertain.

Years later, as I pursued my degree at Portland State University in Political Science and International Development, I carried the impact of that support with me. I had seen firsthand what effective community care could look like, and I knew I wanted to be part of it. When I graduated, the opportunity to join IRCO in a role supporting Youth Services felt like the most natural step. Before anything else, I wanted to return to the community that helped make me who I am today.

My lived experiences continue to shape the way I show up in my role. While I don't work directly with youth, my background informs how I support Youth Services—ensuring volunteers are prepared, consistent, and community-minded. It gives me both clarity and compassion in understanding the barriers families often face.

Being part of IRCO now feels like a true full-circle moment. As a staff member, I serve as a bridge between our volunteers and the community members who rely on our programs. Having once benefited from IRCO's support, and now contributing to its mission from within, I'm proud to be part of strengthening families across Portland—just as IRCO once strengthened mine."

—Jaaron Penn-Harris, Youth Services Volunteer Associate

We’re just days away from the Gala, and we’re feeling a lot of gratitude. This year’s auction will feature an incredible...
05/19/2026

We’re just days away from the Gala, and we’re feeling a lot of gratitude. 

This year’s auction will feature an incredible collection of experiences and packages generously contributed by local partners, artists, restaurants, and community members. 

Guests can look forward to curated getaways, Oregon wine country experiences, Mt. Hood escapes, wellness offerings, dining packages, cultural experiences, and more. 

Every item reflects the care and generosity of those who make this work possible. 

Thank you to everyone joining us this Thursday. Your presence and support help sustain IRCO’s programs and the communities we serve. 

We can’t wait to celebrate with you.

We are heartbroken by the unexpected passing of Cayle Tern, a beloved Portland community leader, advocate, and champion ...
05/12/2026

We are heartbroken by the unexpected passing of Cayle Tern, a beloved Portland community leader, advocate, and champion for immigrant and refugee communities. We extend our deepest love and condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and everyone whose lives were touched by his care, leadership, and generosity.

A refugee from Laos, Cayle dedicated his life to uplifting and advocating for communities across Oregon. Since joining IRCO’s Board of Directors in 2022, he brought compassion, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to every space he entered. He was one of the first Iu Mien community members elected to serve on the Reynolds School District Board, served as Community President for the Iu Mien Association of Oregon, and spent the past seven years supporting IRCO’s Pacific Islander & Asian Family Center (PIAFC) through its advisory council.

Cayle was deeply devoted to community care and collective wellbeing. Through his many roles, he advocated tirelessly for education, food security, healthcare access, community safety, and immigrant rights.

His impact extended far beyond titles or positions. Cayle made people feel seen, supported, and valued. He led with humility, integrity, and genuine heart, always putting community first.

Read more here: https://irco.org/remembering-cayle-tern/

Raffle tickets are live! Enter for a chance to win curated prizes while supporting community programs that make a real ...
05/05/2026

Raffle tickets are live!

Enter for a chance to win curated prizes while supporting community programs that make a real impact.

Gala tickets are still available, but only until May 15.

Get raffle tickets and reserve your Gala seats at ircogala2026.auctria.events

🎟️

May marks Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPIHM), a time to recognize and celebrate t...
05/01/2026

May marks Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPIHM), a time to recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of these communities across the United States. Representing more than 20 million people, AANHPI communities reflect incredible diversity—spanning generations, languages, and traditions rooted in countries and islands across the globe.

As we celebrate, we also acknowledge the ongoing challenges impacting these communities and stand in solidarity.

At IRCO’s Pacific Islander and Asian Family Center (PIAFC), we are proud to uplift AANHPI voices and stories. Throughout the month, we invite you to learn, celebrate, and engage with the cultures that enrich our shared community. Follow along as we highlight traditions, experiences, and meaningful ways to honor this month.

IRCO • PIAFC • AANHPI Heritage Month • Asian American • Native Hawaiian • Pacific Islander • Southeast Asian • South Asian • Polynesian • Micronesian • Melanesian • Cultural Heritage • Community • Portland • Oregon • Diversity • Cultural Services

As we're nearing our 50th anniversary gala celebration in May, we want to thank for being our Presenting Sponsor. OnPoi...
04/30/2026

As we're nearing our 50th anniversary gala celebration in May, we want to thank for being our Presenting Sponsor. OnPoint has supported IRCO's services since 2015 and we are grateful to be celebrating this milestone event with them this year!

Ifeoluwa’s Journey to Stability and HopeIn December 2024, Ifeoluwa, a dedicated student at Portland State University, be...
04/28/2026

Ifeoluwa’s Journey to Stability and Hope

In December 2024, Ifeoluwa, a dedicated student at Portland State University, began experiencing significant financial hardship. As housing instability set in, it was compounded by emerging health concerns and the growing demands of her academic workload. What should have been a time of focus and growth quickly became a period marked by uncertainty and stress.

In 2025, during a pivotal moment, Ifeoluwa found support through a program at IRCO’s Africa House Cultural Center. Through the program, she received seven months of housing support along with additional financial assistance—resources that proved life-changing. With the burden of housing insecurity lifted, Ifeoluwa was able to refocus on her education, prioritize her health, and regain a sense of stability.

Beyond meeting her immediate needs, Africa House provided something even more powerful: a renewed sense of belonging and emotional wellbeing. In a time of isolation and challenge, she found community, support, and encouragement.

Today, Ifeoluwa describes herself as hopeful and inspired. Her experience has not only helped her regain stability but has also ignited a deep desire to give back. She hopes to one day support others facing similar challenges—just as she was supported during one of the most critical chapters of her life.

Address

10301 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR
97220

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+15032341541

Website

https://irco.org/donate/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when IRCO Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to IRCO Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization:

Shortcuts

Share