The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a community organization which focuses on issues concerning proper integration of immigrants and refugees into the US society. The organization addresses really important issues and helps immigrants and refugees as well as Americans benefit from cooperation. The organization is located in Portland, Oregon.
It has several centers which address specific issues of particular groups of people: Main Office, Asian Family Center, Senior Center, Africa House / Skill Center (IRCO, 2012). The organization provides services which are “culturally and linguistically inclusive of all ethnic groups” (IRCO, 2012).
Notably, the organization does effectively help various groups to integrate into US communities as the immigrants and refugees obtain training (including linguistic courses), accommodations, financial help, psychological help, etc. All this is very important for the newcomers who have to face a variety of constraints.
It is necessary to note that the USA is characterized by a lot of controversy when it comes to immigration policies. At the same time, it is one of the countries which receive most immigrants and refugees. Therefore, the community inevitably faces problems concerning immigrants and refugees. Apart from specific logistic related issues, immigrants and refugees face issues concerning cultural diversity.
There can be various misunderstandings and even conflicts as the newcomers often speak little English and can see some cultural peculiarities of Americans as strange or even inappropriate and hostile. The IRCO understand all these constraints and works to diminish them to help immigrants and refugees become integrated into the American community.
The IRCO has various social incentives. For instance, in 2011 they implemented a program aimed at helping seniors. The organization helps seniors to feel a part of the society. Volunteers provide a variety of services for seniors. Besides, the organization provides anti-poverty services helping more than 70 families annually. The IRCO helps immigrants and refugees assess mainstream social care.
It is necessary to note that these social incentives have numerous positive effects. First, the organization does help various people integrate into the US society. At that, the incentives mentioned above address the most vulnerable groups of people. Thus, seniors are often left aside as organizations often focus on younger groups of people.
Though, seniors require most of people’s help. Assistance to seniors can also be beneficial for Americans as volunteers can learn more about needs of seniors (among immigrants and refugees as well as among Americans). The problem of aging is becoming really urging. Therefore, experience of Oregon’s communities can help acquire successful experience and use it nationwide.
Likewise, a lot of immigrants are coming with little or no money. The IRCO finds various ways to help poor families solve various financial issues. Again, this incentive can help Americans (along with new comers) work out effective ways to diminish poverty in the US society. It is also important to note that every incentive implemented by the IRCO (and the very existence of the organization) is beneficial for multicultural American society.
The organization helps people find appropriate ways to cooperate. With the help of the IRCO people having different cultural background become a part of an integrated society which makes the entire nation prosper. Admittedly, such organizations as the IRCO should be represented in every state of the United States, which will help diminish tension among various ethnical groups.
Reference List
IRCO. (2012) IRCO’s mission, vision & values. Web.