International Rescue Committee
The Glendale Library, Arts and Culture (GLAC) proudly works with a variety of local and national organizations to provide patrons with high in demand services and resources. One of the organizations that GLAC is proud to work with is the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The IRC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to assist people “affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives” (The IRC’s Impact, n.d.). The IRC fulfills its mission by providing shelter, medical, public assistance, education, training, and income-generating programs for refugees and asylees. Immigration services are also provided with the goal of assisting refugees and asylees to become permanent residents in the United States. The work at the IRC can be accomplished in large part due to its wonderful staff and volunteers. During this year’s Volunteer Appreciation Day (April 20th), the IRC posted a letter of recognition and appreciation for their volunteers that stated, “we fulfill our work here at the IRC because of the support we get from volunteers like you. Your work ranges from picking up clients from the airport, setting up apartments, driving clients to appointments, assisting with tax services, and so much more! Thanks to your efforts and generosity, we will be able to continue to meet the needs of our community by providing all these services” (A letter, n.d.). For more information on volunteer opportunities with the IRC please visit their website at https://www.rescue.org/volunteer.
In collaboration with the International Rescue Committee the Literacy Center at GLAC is proud to offer Citizenship Classes free of cost to the public. The Citizenship classes are intended to teach students the English, Civics, and History required to pass the United States Citizenship test. The Citizenship Classes currently take place at the Pacific Park Library and are scheduled on Tuesdays from 6:30-9:00 pm. Space is limited, and registration is required.
Arifa, 18, Zahra, 22, and Hadisa, 18, evacuated Afghanistan when the Emirates of Afghanistan, commonly know as the Taliban, took control of the country. With the IRC’s support, they resettled in the U.S. and were enrolled in courses at Arizona State University. “Here, there’s lots of opportunity for women,” Zahra said. “As a woman, you can achieve all your dreams here.” Photo: Nisha Datt for the IRC
For more information on the Citizenship Classes, or to sign up, please contact the Pacific Park Library at 818.548.3760 or the Literacy Center at 818.548.6450
To contact the International Rescue Committee in Glendale please call 818.550.6220 or visit at 625 N Maryland Ave, Glendale, CA 91206
Hours of Operation:
Saturday - Closed
Sunday - Closed
Monday - 9 AM–4 PM
Tuesday - 9 AM–4 PM
Wednesday - 9 AM–4 PM
Thursday - 9 AM–4 PM
Friday - 9 AM–12 PM
Services Provided: Consular Processing, Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, Naturalization/Citizenship, Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Citizenship / Civics classes, Employment services, ESL, Legal Orientation Programs (LOP) / Know Your Rights Presentations (KYR), Office Of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-funded services for trafficking victims, Referrals to other services, Social services, Domestic Violence Victims, Human Trafficking Survivors, Torture survivors.
References:
The IRC’s impact at a glance. The IRC. (n.d.). https://www.rescue.org/page/ircs-impact-glance
A letter to our volunteers. The IRC. (n.d.). https://www.rescue.org/announcement/letter-our-volunteers