IOR Programs
Through our programs, the Idaho Office for Refugees aims to help ease the transition for refugees who are resettling in Idaho and build bridges and supportive networks across the state.
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The Refugee Speakers Bureau connects communities and builds bridges across cultures through storytelling. The program provides Idahoans who arrived as refugees with training to engage in public dialogue and share their stories with groups and at events. Organizations can connect with the bureau to request a guest speaker.
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The English Language Center in Boise provides all levels of English classes for refugees and immigrants. The center also helps students with digital literacy, cultural transitions, job hunting, getting a driver’s license, preparing for the citizenship test and enrolling in higher education. Most refugees who resettle in Boise will go through the English Language Center in some form, creating a strong and supportive community hub.
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Global Gardens supports community gardeners and career farmers from refugee and immigrant backgrounds by providing access to land, training and the marketplace. Global Gardens produce is sold at Boise farmers markets and restaurants, as well as through CSA memberships (community-supported agriculture), which provide a weekly dose of fresh produce to households throughout the growing season.
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Global Talent provides customized training and personalized career coaching to highly skilled immigrants and refugees to successfully compete for jobs in the U.S. while connecting them with Idaho employers. The program is a win-win — new Idahoans are empowered to continue in their fields of expertise, and employers and the economy benefit from a larger pool of skilled workers.
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Neighbors United is a group of more than 100 partners who work together to help refugees thrive and successfully integrate in the Treasure Valley. Partners include local and state government agencies, school districts, hospitals, nonprofits and businesses.
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Idaho Community Advisor Network (I-CAN) provides an additional layer of support for refugee families as they navigate life during their first three years in Idaho. The network includes community advisors, many of whom have been through the resettlement process themselves. The advisors have the language skills and cultural understanding to come alongside families and help solve challenges, including:
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