Presentation: "We need to help, and we can do more together," agreed a handful of concerned lay people who gathered in March 2016 in response to the world refugee crisis. That commitment marked the start of Interfaith Welcome, an all-volunteer group of Bay Area faith communities that seeks to help refugees find welcome, safety, freedom and independence. Fifteen congregations have partnered on initiatives to help newly arriving refugee families and to raise support for great nonprofits that are helping refugees in the Bay Area and elsewhere in the world. Just as Interfaith Welcome seeks to welcome refugees, it also welcomes congregations and individuals to join in this work.

One of Interfaith Welcome's nonprofit partners is the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The IRC helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. The IRC delivers life-saving care to vulnerable women, men and children in over 40 countries. The IRC also provides refugee families in the Bay Area and cities across the U.S. vital tools and support they need to rebuild their lives and enrich their new communities.