Who We Serve

IRIS serves immigrants in Skagit and Whatcom who:

  1. are unable to get their basic needs met,
  2. are not eligible for most government services, and
  3. fall into many of the following categories:
  • Farmworkers
  • Unstable immigration status
  • Newly arrived in the United States
  • Homeless or unstable housing
  • Fleeing domestic violence
  • Sudden loss of income
  • Managing a disability, disease, or illness
  • Indigenous from Latin America
  • Single parents
  • Non-English speaking
  • Unable to read and/or write
  • Elderly
  • LGBTQ+
  • Injured
  • Pregnant/new baby
IRIS supports families and individuals on a case-by-case basis and distributes financial assistance as funding becomes available. IRIS prioritizes families and individuals who have the highest and most urgent need.

Case Examples

  • IRIS staff held a workshop and met with Mixtec-speaking families to enroll them in a discount program for their energy bills.
  • After a young man was badly injured, IRIS paid his rent and helped him apply for financial assistance for his hospital bills. IRIS then connected him to an immigration attorney and assisted with legal fees, resulting in him obtaining a legal work permit a few years later.
  • IRIS provided clothing, blankets, and kitchen items to a single mother and her three young children as they transitioned from living in a church, into a small, shared apartment.
  • IRIS staff assisted parents to fill out Power of Attorney documents assigning a trusted person to care for their children in case they were deported.
  • During a boot and coat drive, IRIS collected and distributed warm jackets and high-quality work boots to IRIS recipients, most of whom work outdoors in the cold, wet climate.

It Takes a Village

A story written by IRIS staff about a family they worked with in 2026

Like many Indigenous women from southern Mexico, Maria is petite with long, dark hair and a big smile that lights up her face. While she understands some Spanish, her primary language is Mixtec. She cannot read or write, does not drive, and has limited work experience. Despite these barriers, she and her partner were building a better life as farm workers in rural, northwest Washington.

While Maria was pregnant last spring, her partner was picked up by ICE and quickly deported. She and her child faced overwhelming grief, financial hardship, and uncertainty about their future. Maria scrambled to adjust and make ends meet for her five-year-old and soon after, her newborn. Although she is willing to work, finding affordable childcare and caring for a newborn have been major obstacles to earning an income. She also lives with the constant fear that if she herself were detained, her children would have no nearby family or trusted friends to care for them.

Despite these challenges, Maria remains determined to create a better future for her children. With the support of IRIS and many caring community members and organizations, she has begun to rebuild her life. Over the last six months, IRIS provided rental assistance, coordinated food deliveries, supplied clothing and car seats for both children, and referred Maria to other resources. In May, Maria was supported through IRIS’s Mother’s Day Program, with over $700 worth of food, hygiene items, kitchen items, and cleaning supplies. In addition, she received free medical care through Sea Mar’s Maternity Support Services, food support through Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and assistance learning how to drive from a dedicated community member.

Recently, Maria was offered an opportunity to move in with a friend in Yakima, where she would have someone to watch her children, a room to rent, and employment as a farm worker. Maria was deeply appreciative of all the help she received here but knew she needed to become more self-sufficient. She made the courageous decision to move and her community rallied around her. IRIS bought a gift card for gas. Whatcom Faith Community Immigrant Support prepared a thoughtful care package filled with food and toys to make the long car ride easier.

In late August, Maria called to share that she had arrived in Yakima. She enrolled her five-year-old in school and is ready to begin working the harvest season. Maria expressed her deepest gratitude and wanted to make sure that everyone who had helped her along the way was thanked. Her story is a beautiful reminder that no single organization can meet every need. It takes a village. Through the collaboration of IRIS, local schools, healthcare providers, faith communities, and compassionate individuals, Maria and her children have been given a chance to move toward a safer, more stable future.

More stories can be found in our newsletters.