Mission Statement
The mission of the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is to promote the integration of refugees, immigrants, and the community at large into a self-sufficient, healthy, and inclusive multiethnic society
Started in 1975, IRCO is a community-based, nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization assisting refugees and immigrants through the various stages of integration into U.S. society. Reflecting great diversity, IRCO’s clients represent many countries and regions throughout the world. IRCO is the leading refugee organization in Oregon and Southwest Washington, investing in refugees and immigrants enabling them to become self-sufficient, long-term contributors to the economic vitality of the community.
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Wednesday, 20 February 2008 17:35
The History of Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization
In 1975, following the political upheaval in Southeast Asia, Vietnamese, Laotians and Cambodians began fleeing their homelands by the tens of thousands. The majority of these people fled overland to Thailand or via boat to Malaysia and other neighboring countries in the region although a fortunate few were airlifted out of Saigon by the U.S. government. In response to this humanitarian crisis, the United States opened its doors to help resettle these Southeast Asian refugees, with Oregon and Washington being two of the first states to offer new opportunities and homes. In the late 1970's, the Portland area was woefully ill equipped to provide resources for the influx of refugees. Local agencies such as Lutheran Family Service and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) struggled to provide for the new arrivals.
Tags: history | legacy
Last Updated on Monday, 19 April 2010 15:24
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Thursday, 27 March 2008 12:34
administrator
Welcome to Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization
The mission of the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is to promote the integration of refugees, immigrants, and the community at large into a self-sufficient, healthy, and inclusive multiethnic society.
- International Language Bank (ILB) translates/interprets in over 50 languages.
- IRCO staff reflects the clients we serve, representing over 40 ethnicities and speaking 50 languages.
- IRCO has placed clients in jobs with over 4,000 employers, averaging about 2,146 placements per year (youth and adult). (1,782 of those were adults.)
- Immigrants are twice as likely as natural born citizens to hold Ph. D’s.
- Immigrants are more likely to be self-employed and start new businesses.
- In the 2005-06 school year, 1,028 youth were enrolled in IRCO’s school-based programs for academic support. Of those, 98% showed academic improvement as measured by grades.
- IRCO teaches 36 literacy classes each month and 12 practical workshops for newly arrived refugees.
- IRCO provides parenting education for 624 families of children between birth and age 5—usually in the family’s native language.
- IRCO has the highest rate of family retention among the many Oregon Healthy Start Programs for early childhood parent education..
Tags: facts | mission | statistics | stats | vision
Last Updated on Thursday, 22 April 2010 17:58
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