For many newcomers arriving in the United States after being forced to leave their home countries, rebuilding a life can feel overwhelming. There are new systems to navigate, a new language to practice, and unfamiliar workforce expectations to understand.
Since 2002, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Turlock has welcomed refugees to Northern California. Today, the organization serves more than 7,500 newcomers each year. Through employment services, case management, English language instruction, and career pathway support, the IRC in Turlock helps immigrant and refugee professionals with the tools and guidance needed to rebuild their careers in the U.S.
“The IRC walks alongside these neighbors — we call them neighbors — as they learn English, integrate into their communities, and work toward long-term self-reliance,” explains .
Angel Lopez-Vera
Senior Employment Specialist at IRC in Turlock
Building Career Pathways Together
The partnership between the IRC in Turlock and Upwardly Global began in 2023 when the IRC was introduced to UpGlo through the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Afghan Arrivals Job Readiness (AAJR) Initiative.
Angel oversees the collaboration as part of his role, supporting clients in finding employment aligned with their professional backgrounds.
“When we introduce our clients to the Upwardly Global modules, we start with resume building, networking strategies, cover letters, and interview preparation,” he says. “It creates a clear outline for how the job search works here.”
The impact has been meaningful. Through the partnership:
- 168 jobseekers have enrolled in UpGlo’s learning platform
- 51 participants have completed full career pathways
- 35 participants have continued with additional skilling opportunities.
These resources are now embedded within the IRC in Turlock’s employment programming, helping jobseekers build practical knowledge and confidence as they navigate the U.S. workforce.
Learning Through Job-Readiness Trainings
One way the partnership between UpGlo and the IRC in Turlock comes to life is through the Afghan Youth Mentorship.
These job-readiness trainings help participants build essential job search skills, including resume writing, interview preparation, digital literacy, and professional communication. During workshops, participants work directly within the Upwardly Global platform, completing modules together and applying lessons they learn in real time. So far, 68 Afghan participants have joined Upwardly Global’s career development programming through this initiative.
“It simplifies the process,” Angel says. “It helps clients understand what the job search looks like here compared to back home.”
Expanding Opportunity
The collaboration has also supported refugee women participating in the IRC in Turlock’s Microenterprise Childcare Program.
Through the In-Home Childcare Licensing Program, participants receive training from IRC in Turlock’s Microenterprise Business Counselor while working toward becoming licensed childcare providers. The program empowers refugee women through entrepreneurship, financial stability, and long-term self-sufficiency.
Participants are also introduced to Upwardly Global’s business-focused professional development modules, helping them build entrepreneurial confidence and familiarity with U.S. business terminology.
Reclaiming Careers
One IRC in Turlock client who arrived through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program came to the United States with a background in civil engineering and a determination to continue his career. Through the IRC’s employment services and Upwardly Global’s Engineering Career Pathway modules, he refined his resume, strengthened his interview skills, and learned how to translate his professional experience into opportunities in the U.S.
His persistence led to a professional internship with Tipping Point Community. Today, he is applying his engineering expertise in a U.S. workplace while encouraging other newcomers to pursue careers aligned with their qualifications.
His story illustrates the power of partnership and the possibility of rebuilding a professional identity after displacement.
Opening the Door
As the partnership continues to grow, the IRC in Turlock hopes to reach even more newcomers, expand outreach to local colleges, and build a network of Upwardly Global alumni who can support the next generation of arrivals.
“This partnership is an open door,” Angel says. “When people arrive in a new country, there are so many challenges. Having this resource gives them a place to start.”
