A Few Minutes with
Jessica Wawrzyniak
International Rescue Committee
For Jessica Wawrzyniak, the opportunity to be part of the humanitarian mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) means opening doors for people to rebuild their lives.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of global refugees are forced to flee their homes to seek a secure future.
The IRC, a New York-based non-profit organization with worldwide operations, was f
ounded in 1933 at the urging of Albert Einstein to respond to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future.
The IRC currently operates in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities – including San Diego, which opened in 1975. LISC San Diego is a financial supporter of IRC’s local operations.
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"I’m proudest when our clients come back and share their awesome successes with us. There are so many challenges in that journey, with so many ups and downs, and we’re fortunate to be able to help guide them through that process."
Jessica serves as IRC’s youth and career development supervisor, leading a dedicated team that supports and trains vulnerable individuals to access living-wage jobs, find opportunities to grow in their career pathways, and gain financial stability.
Working together, Jessica and her staff train and coach an average of 70 job seekers a year, many of whom have escaped war, persecution, oppression, famine and untold hardships of everyday survival.
Where do most of these refugees and displaced evacuees come from?
The vast majority of our participants are refugees and immigrants from all over the world - including Afghanistan, Burma, Congo, DRC, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Kenya, Mexico, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria. To add to this already diverse group of clients, our programs serve US-born community members who face barriers to employment as well.
How does your own life story shape your understanding of their struggles?
From my own family experience, I understand what it means to start life over in a new place. Our family came to this country as immigrants. My father fled communist Poland and started life over in Austria and then the US, as did my mother, coming from the Philippines. As a multi-cultural kid growing up in a multi-cultural San Diego, I learned to recognize the value in diversity and working with the IRC for the past 6 years has solidified that important lesson.
How old were you when your family relocated to the United States?
We were fortunate to move to Southern California when I was 3. My parents did everything they could to make it and provide a bright future for us. Growing up as a family chasing the American dream makes me appreciate all the opportunities I’ve benefitted from as a result of their hard work.
In your own life, what are you most grateful for?
Besides my family and friends, it’s the people around me, every day, the caring team we have and the clients we serve. I just love being around people who are so motivated, inspired and driven by the work we get to do, helping others achieve their goals.
How has the current political climate made your role more challenging?
The IRC welcomes and supports those who have suffered from war, persecution, oppression, and faced incredible hardship abroad and here in the US. This is hard work, trying to break down the many challenges our clients face as they try to navigate some of life’s most destabilizing obstacles -- all while trying to adapt to American culture. These days, it seems the political discord about how best to support people in need has made that even more of a challenge.
What’s the greatest sense of fulfillment you get at IRC?
I’m proudest when our clients come back and share their awesome successes with us. There are so many challenges in that journey, with so many ups and downs, and we’re fortunate to be able to help guide them through that process. Their successes brighten my soul and energize me to keep doing our work to pave the way for others.
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As told to John Freeman
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Jessica Wawrzyniak
International Rescue Committee
5348 University Avenue, Suite 108
San Diego, CA 92105
619-641-7510
