International Rescue Committee in Spokane

05/29/2026

Here’s a happy snapshot from one of our recent digital literacy classes on cybersecurity and how to avoid scams.

We are lucky to have a team of 46 brilliant staff who speak a combined total of 24 different languages, which allows us the flexibility to offer these and many other classes in small groups and multiple languages, giving clients the opportunity to ask questions and engage in interactive discussions and activities.

By the end of the course, clients had an increased awareness of the importance of internet safety and a better understanding of how to avoid online scams such as phishing, fraud, and identity theft.

05/28/2026

We were delighted to be invited by Greater Spokane Progress to hear from Spokane City Council Members, including Council President Betsy Wilkerson, Council Member Zack Zappone, and Council Member Sarah Dixit, about their legislative and budget priorities, as well as share our own organizational and community focus.

We enjoyed the opportunity to strategize during the breakout session with MiA - Mujeres in Action, Asians for Collective Liberation in Spokane, and League of Women Voters to discuss and present ideas to prioritize impact for immigrant rights while hearing from others sharing their expertise in the areas of housing justice, health equity, and civil rights.

Thank you to Greater Spokane Progress for hosting such a meaningful event! We look forward to continued engagement to help bring forward momentum on the ideas shared!

05/27/2026

The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has operated with bipartisan support as a rules-based system designed to protect people fleeing persecution based on vulnerability and humanitarian need, regardless of nationality.

Reserving the entirety of this admissions increase for one group while broader refugee admissions remain largely suspended undermines confidence in the fairness and integrity of a program that has historically reflected longstanding American humanitarian leadership and values.

“America has long welcomed people fleeing persecution and escaping violence, and the U.S. refugee resettlement program has been a vital part of that commitment,” said Hans Van de Weerd, Senior Vice President, Resettlement, Asylum and Integration. "At a time of record global displacement, access to protection must be equitable and based on need. The United States should continue to honor its word and commitments by ensuring that limited refugee admissions slots are open to all nationalities facing credible threats of persecution, not disproportionately allocated to any single group.”

Decision to reserve 10,000 resettlement slots for one nationality comes as broader refugee admissions remain sharply restricted, leaving many vulnerable refugees without access to protection.

05/26/2026

Over the last several months, we’ve had some skilled new college join us in the areas of health promotion, case management, youth and education, employment, and asylum services.

We feel so lucky to have all of their many talents working across our programs, and they’ve already been busy administering services and supporting clients. Even though they’ve only been working with us for months, it feels like they’ve always been part of the team!

05/23/2026

As part of the World Refugee Day planning committee every year, we promise that we’ve all been working hard together to make sure this will be one of the most fun and festive community events of the summer.

We hope you’ll join us!

05/21/2026

Thank you to Cassy and FāVS News for highlighting the impact of our New Roots Garden and the partnerships with the YMCA of the Inland Northwest and Growing Neighbors that helped make it happen!

Their article shares how the New Roots garden didn’t begin with a financial grant like many non-profit enterprises.

“This was the community coming together with the little pieces we had… What started four years ago on a 629-square-foot plot of land divided up by raised beds is now a single plot reaching over 2,100 square feet… growing enough produce to be considered a small farm.”

Spokane’s New Roots community garden helps refugee families grow culturally familiar foods, strengthen food security and create opportunities for youth.

05/20/2026

Thank you to Creole Resources for inviting us to participate in this fun and meaningful event! We loved getting to attend and can’t wait for next year’s Haitian Flag Day Heritage Celebration!

05/19/2026

We’re excited to celebrate our very own Mentoring Coordinator, Jennie Sevedge-Angel, for being nominated by Gonzaga University for Partners in Campus and Community Engagement (PICCE’s) Mentor of the Year award.

As a winner of this award, Jennie was recognized for the excellence of her mentorship program, pairing Gonzaga Education students with refugee youth for weekly on-campus mentoring, skill building, goal setting, relationship building, and college and career exploration.

Her work with mentors and mentees engages participants in a way that is both effective and inspiring, and we love seeing the success of this program every semester with each new cohort of students!

05/18/2026

We want to give a big thank you to Gonzaga University Theater Sports (GUTS) improv club for organizing and hosting a hygiene drive to collect and create kits for clients full of supplies like toilet paper, shampoo, tooth paste, deodorant, and feminine hygiene items.

GUTS members include both students in the theatre and dance departments, as well as numerous other departments and disciplines who come together to entertain the Gonzaga community. Originally established in 1987 as a creative alternative to late night drinking, the GUTS community has remained dedicated to the craft of improv and to the work of taking action to make a difference wherever they can.

We applaud them for bringing about smiles, both through comedy and community!

05/15/2026

We love it when clients want to showcase their talents and share a piece of their culture with us!

Our whole team could smell this client’s delicious Syrian cuisine through the video. We hear that it tastes as good as it looks, and he’s willing to share his recipes. With his background as a chef, he’s got a goal to open his own food truck someday so that everyone can have the opportunity to experience his food!