Spring Greetings! IRCO is growing and thriving along with the flowers this April and is excited to share our updates with you. A new Immigration Services fee-for-service program, expanded funding for our trailblazing IRCO Africa House location and our upcoming Faces of IRCO: Myanmar (Burma) event are just some of the exciting things happening at IRCO this spring.  

Read on for more IRCO news, join us for an event and follow us on our networks to stay connected to what we're up to in the community!

Samaneh (Sam) Ardestani is quite literally the face, the voice, and the first introduction to IRCO most people experience. As our main office receptionist, she deeply cares for each person who walks in the door or calls. Beyond connecting people with the critical resources they need, she always serves with grace, dignity, kindness, and a smile. She speaks Spanish, Farsi, and English fluently, and also has learned little bits of other languages  to assist clients. Although she is relatively new to IRCO, starting in August of 2012, the positive impact we have all felt has been enormous. 

Every day she is with us, is truly a gift that betters the lives of employees, clients, volunteers, and the entire IRCO community. Please join us in celebrating Samaneh Ardestani for passionately representing IRCO's mission, values and principles.

With over 100 distinct social service programs serving nearly 30,000 immigrant, refugee and mainstream community members a year, IRCO has a lot going on! We are in constant communication with the communities we work with so we can proactively create programs to serve their needs.

IRCO is excited to have started programs providing housing and stabilization services, academic mentoring for struggling middle school students in Parkrose and Reynolds school districts, parent leadership and advocacy for families with children who are preparing for kindergarten, and food stability programs at our targeted SUN schools.  Keep an eye on irco.org/programs for updated program info!

"Paul has been very consistent and reliable since day one, and has provided invaluable service touching the lives of so many clients." - Mark Oliver, IRCO staff

Learn more about volunteering at IRCO here! 

IRCO recently implemented an Immigration Services program that provides low-cost immigration counseling and assistance for our refugee and immigrant clients. IRCO is proud to be able to now provide this vital service to our clients at affordable rates. For more information contact IRCO Africa House staff Abdiasis Mohamed at 503-802-0082.

IRCO's FACES program has teamed up with the Pacific Islander community to bring community members together to create traditional woven and quilted blankets. "We have the skill, we just don't have the resources. IRCO has helped us get these resources and we are so, so thankful" said a program participant. Check out our Facebook page for more photos from the sewing class!