Changing Lives vs Being Changed

One of our clients recently paid us the highest compliment ever. He said, “I love coming to the IRC. And even though my case is done, I count the days until I can come back!” This former client, now an “alumnus” of the IRC experience, is in our hearts forever. In his beloved home country, he was tortured, kidnapped and beaten for his beliefs. His story, his passion and his fierce love for his family caused this client to make an indelible mark on us.

Last month, we accompanied a non-verbal, non-ambulatory client to the embassy and advocated for his legal efficacy. The client exhibited his strength, his personal pride and his ability to persevere, not even willing for anyone to push his wheelchair and we couldn’t help but be blown away by him. Despite the many communication barriers, he was able to share his gratitude, kindness and hope to our staff.

This month we had a young lady come to us needing Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) before she turned 21 and became ineligible for this legal remedy. Knowing that time was of the essence, we called in a former board member and her legal team to help us turn this case around in record time. And it happened! We are so proud of her! So young, so brave, so ready to follow her dreams and create a better life for herself and her family. 

The bottomline is this - at the IRC, we do not see ourselves as changing lives, rather, we are being changed by the extraordinary people who walk through our doors every day.

-Jean Grant, Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships