Our 2018 Referral Reward YEARLY winner!
Year after year, our biggest source of new clients is our existing clients. That’s a deeply humbling fact. The idea that people see enough value in our service to send their family and friends… well, it’s the highest compliment we can receive and we’re profoundly grateful. Thank you!
Many shops say thanks for referrals by giving free oil changes or repair discounts. We did too until we decided it seemed a little too self-serving. Besides, if you’re getting a free oil change for sending someone our way, doesn’t that color your own thinking, even just a little? No more! Since 2014 we’ve been making a donation to the non-profit group of your choice for each new client you refer. 
Not only that, but your choice goes into the mix with all the other Referral groups and our clients vote for Quarterly and Yearly awards from among them. That brings us to today and our 2017 Yearly Award Winner, a group serving people who have it hard in the best of times but are particularly hard hit by the Trumpocracy. Through their outreach in employment, family services, language, legal, community services, and more they’re helping create self-sufficient people and vibrant communities. And without further ado, our $500 Yearly Award for 2018 goes to…
From the IRCO Website…
Mission & History
IRCO’s mission is to promote the integration of refugees, immigrants and the community at large into a self-sufficient, healthy and inclusive multi-ethnic society. Founded in 1976 by refugees for refugees, IRCO has over 40 years of history and experience working with Portland’s refugee and immigrant communities. 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, a role IRCO has retained ever since. We became the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization in 2001. In 1994, IRCO founded the Asian Family Center, the first of our culturally and linguistically specific one stop service locations, followed by the establishment of Africa House in 2006.
Empowering immigrants and refugees from around the world to build new lives
The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) supports immigrants, refugees and mainstream community members to become self-sufficient. We strive in our programming, outreach and education to foster understanding, compassion and communication between Oregon’s established communities and newest arrivals.
Oregon has one of the fastest growing refugee and immigrant populations in the country. Forced to leave their home countries for fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group, refugees and immigrants come to Portland to begin new lives. IRCO focuses on removing barriers to self-sufficiency and helping individuals and families thrive, by providing more than 200 culturally and linguistically specific social services, from employment, vocational training and English language learning, to community development, early childhood and parenting education, youth academic support and gang prevention.
Uniting newcomers and long-time community members
The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) serves the holistic needs of immigrants, refugees, and mainstream community members in Oregon and SWWashington. As a community-based organization, we empower children, youth, families and elders from around the world to build new lives and become self-sufficient by providing more than 200 culturally and linguistically specific social services. Our vision is to be a leader of community driven, innovative programs delivered by compassionate staff who create equitable services that empower immigrants, refugees and underserved communities.
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On behalf of all of us at Tom Dwyer Automotive and all our clients who voted for IRCO, congratulations! Not just for the $500… that will be gone all too quickly. But congratulations on the difference you’ve made in our communities for 40 years… THAT will endure for generations.
