Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization (IRCO)

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Claim This BusinessAbout Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization (IRCO)
Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) has anchored its mission in Portland since 1976, earning a 4.2-star rating across 262 reviews. This social services nonprofit operates six service hubs throughout Oregon, serving newcomers and established residents alike. Their team of multilingual staff assists clients in over 100 languages, guiding individuals and families through the complexities of building new lives in the United States.
What distinguishes IRCO is its wraparound model, no single-issue referrals here. Clients access housing assistance alongside English-language classes, career counseling paired with tax preparation, and healthcare navigation merged with senior services. The organization runs IRCO Early Beginnings learning centers, manages the New Beginnings Market for food security, and maintains a Survivor Services program for those rebuilding from trauma. Their 29,000 annual clients move through doors that stay open 8:30 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday.
Named staff members appear throughout reviewer feedback. Yolanda Santa Cruz credits IRCO with helping her understand credit systems and find work training after arriving as an immigrant. One reviewer named Idriss Mohammed highlights a specific Arabic-speaking employee who helped his family navigate small business resources with genuine warmth. Another client, Ebony Myles, mentions receiving same-day assistance when paying enrollment fees. These individual encounters illustrate how the organization translates institutional mission into personal momentum.
What Customers Say
12 of 14 reviewers award 4 or 5 stars, praising staff warmth and client-centered services. Common criticism targets processing delays during vaccine clinics, Angela Kelly notes 90-minute wait times versus 20 minutes at other sites. Several positive reviews mention specific helpful employees by name.
Working Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 8:30 AM–5 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:30 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 8:30 AM–5 PM |
| SaturdayToday | Closed |
Services
Employment Services
Job readiness training, resume building, employer connections, and vocational guidance for job seekers.
English Language Classes
ESL instruction at multiple proficiency levels taught by bilingual educators familiarwithculturalnuances.
Housing Assistance
Application guidance, resource navigation, and partnerships with Portland-area landlords and housing programs.
Health & Wellness Navigation
Healthcare access guidance, insurance enrollment assistance, and vaccination clinic coordination.
Youth & Academic Services
After-school tutoring, college prep, mentorship programs, and early childhood development centers.
Senior Services
Cultural programming, benefits enrollment assistance, and social activities dlaer adults.
Tax Assistance
Free tax preparation during filing season, including ITIN application support for undocumented residents.
Hunger Relief via New Beginnings Market
Food pantry providing groceries, culturally appropriate staples, and emergency meal assistance.