Now more than ever, immigrants and refugees in our community need a voice and an advocate. That’s the role of the Portland-based Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO). IRCO’s mission is to promote the integration of refugees, immigrants and the community at large into a self-sufficient, healthy and inclusive multi-ethnic society.
For immigrants and refugees living in Oregon for the first time, there’s no better way than getting out in nature to get to know our place and community. With support from the Gray Family Foundation, IRCO is accomplishing just that.
IRCO’s Geography Success Program connects students and families living in low-income neighborhoods, especially African immigrants and refugees and English Language Learners. The program facilitates outdoor activities, gets people out into nature and supports students academically after school and in summer school.
“In addition to becoming familiarized with the systems in their new home, students and families also got the opportunity to learn about the ecosystem and how it functions while exploring their surrounding environment together,” says Jenny Bremner, IRCO’s Director of Development & Communications.
The program serves 30 students each year, and will run through 2019.
“This program has been integral to cultivating self-sufficiency and promoting a sense of belonging for our clients,” Bremner says.
The grant dollars from the Gray Family Foundation were used to facilitate these outdoor activities and workshops as well as personnel expenses.
