Who We Are

​We believe in creating welcoming communities that thrive together
The Idaho Office for Refugees supports our nation’s founding belief of offering refuge and safety to people forced to leave their homes due to persecution of their religious beliefs, political opinions, or ethnic heritage. We create opportunities for refugees and the larger community to come together over their shared values of hard work, family, faith, and freedom, through English Language education, economic empowerment, and community events. 

Our Mission

​The Idaho Office for Refugees welcomes and supports people granted refuge in the United States by providing opportunities for education, civic engagement, economic advancement, and belonging.​

Our Role

The Idaho Office for Refugees has statewide responsibility for assistance and services to refugees. IOR is a private sector initiative, replacing the traditional state-administered program for refugee assistance and services. Under agreement with the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, IOR works closely with local resettlement agencies to assist Idahoans from refugee backgrounds in their successful transition to life in the United States.

Through contracts and cooperative agreements, IOR supports:
  • English language training
  • Employment services
  • Immigration assistance
  • Language assistance
  • Case management and social adjustment services
  • Community events and programming
  • Agricultural training and community garden programs
  • Pathways to self-sufficiency