Since 1982, New Haven has provided safe harbor for refugees from all over the world who are given a chance at a new life through IRIS’s refugee resettlement program. The mission of IRIS is to help refugees and other displaced people establish new lives, regain hope, and contribute to the vitality of Connecticut’s communities. The refugees we serve fled their home countries due to persecution on the basis of their race, nationality, religious belief, political opinion, or social group.
There are about 18 million refugees in the world today. Each year, the US government selects and invites about 70,000 to resettle in this country. IRIS welcomes about 220 refugees to New Haven each year. After meeting the immediate basic needs of housing, food, clothing, and health care, IRIS helps refugees become self-sufficient. Refugee resettlement is our nation’s oldest and most noble tradition, but for the refugees, it is a tough self-help process.
Currently, most of IRIS’s refugee clients come from Afghanistan, Iraq, Congo, Eritrea, and Sudan. While IRIS works most intensively with refugees during their first year of resettlement, IRIS is available to assist them for up to five years. IRIS’s office on Nicoll Street at the base of East Rock serves as our office but also often feels and functions like an informal community center for newly arrived and former refugees alike.
A crucial part of a refugee’s acculturation process is meeting and interacting with New Haven community members outside of the refugee circles. Young professionals/Yale graduates have served in many ways at IRIS over the years, but have perhaps made the most impact as volunteer Cultural Companions to “young adult” refugees and by participating in community-building activities with this group. Laurel McCormack, Volunteer Coordinator, says “I believe everyone– not only refugees, but also volunteers– comes to IRIS to fill a need. Volunteers are often motivated by a longing for connection and purpose, and in turn meet refugees who long for friends in their new home. We have witnessed some great community being built between young adult refugees and young professionals in New Haven and look forward to the opportunity to make FLY members a part of that!”
To learn more or get involved please contact the FLY coordinator for United Way of Greater New Haven, Asia Neupane.
Learn more about IRIS: http://irisct.org/volunteer