Creating Community Since 1976
At IRCO, our mission is to welcome, serve, and empower refugees, immigrants, and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. We imagine a future where refugees and immigrants belong, our staff are nurtured, and all communities thrive.
Founded in 1976 by refugees for refugees, IRCO has been serving Oregon's immigrant and refugee communities for nearly 50 years. Following the 1970s political upheavals in Southeast Asia, Oregon and Washington were two of the first states to offer new opportunities and homes to refugees. A group of Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian refugees in Portland formed the Indochinese Cultural and Service Center (ICSC) to help newly arrived families adjust to American society and find jobs.
By the mid-'80s, ICSC joined forces with another community-based organization, Southeast Asian Refugee Federation (SEARF). The newly formed International Refugee Center of Oregon (IRCO) became the sole service provider of employment services and job training for all newly arrived refugees. In 2001, we became the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization and have continued to expand our services.
Today, we serve tens of thousands of clients annually, with over 50 IRCO access sites across the state.
