Oregon has one of the fastest growing refugee and immigrant populations in the country. Fleeing their home countries due to fear of persecution, political upheaval, and/or social unrest, refugees like the hundreds of Afghan refugees welcomed to Oregon in the last few months, come here to begin new lives.

IRCO (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization) focuses on removing barriers to self-sufficiency and helping individuals and families thrive, by providing more than 200 culturally and linguistically specific social services, from employment, vocational training and English language learning, to community development, early childhood and parenting education, youth academic support and gang prevention. Recently, IRCO also became an official refugee resettlement agency, helping families settle into their new homes as well as proving services once the family is established.

IRCO operates with the passionate belief that immigrants offer deep richness to our city socially, culturally, artistically, and economically. And with that belief, the mission of IRCO is to promote the integration of refugees, immigrants and the community at large into a self-sufficient, healthy and inclusive multi-ethnic society.

Founded in 1976 by refugees for refugees, IRCO has over 40 years of history and experience working with Portland's refugee and immigrant communities. By the mid-'80s, they joined forces with another community-based organization, Southeast Asian Refugee Federation (SEARF) to create IRCO.

IRCO became the sole service provider of employment services and job training for all newly arrived refugees, a role IRCO has retained ever since. In 1994, IRCO founded the Asian Family Center, the first of its culturally and linguistically specific one stop service locations, followed by the establishment of Africa House in 2006. They have since expanded further to include the Greater Middle East Center and the Slavic and Eastern European Center.

We are heartbroken by the manifold crises taking place in Afghanistan in recent months, and so we ask you, our community, to help us help immigrants and refugees join our community. This month Equilibrium will match in-office financial donations and collect donations from the following list. These items are needed on an on-going basis and should be NEW. For more information, to volunteer, or to donate directly, please see IRCO’s website.

NEW items from the following list are needed on an on-going basis.

Or purchase items directly from their Amazon wishlist. These items will be automatically shipped to IRCO.