March 25, 2015
Career & Education
Building
Skills
in the
Military
Tyrone Dumas of Portland
has embarked on a Navy career
serving as an Airman Appren-
tice with an elite group known
as the “Flying Eagles.”
Stationed in Lemoore, Calif.,
Dumas is an aviation electronic
technician for Fighter Squadron
122, one of the Navy’s most le-
thal and versatile strike fighter
aircrafts, the F/A-18E/F Super
Hornet.
“I like that the Navy has giv-
en me the opportunity to trav-
el,” said Dumas of his joys of
serving.
“It’s my job as senior airman
Navy Airman Tyrone Dumas of
Portland.
to teach the new airman how we
do things in the squadron,” add-
ed Dumas. He went on to say he
is very proud of his work as part
of the squadron’s 1,140-mem-
ber team , helping to protect
America on the world’s oceans.
Bridging Cultures
C ontinued froM f ront
Lee’s accomplishments in-
clude serving IRCO for over 34
years in a multitude of leadership
roles, most recently as associate
director. He was key to provid-
ing culturally specific services
in the development of IRCO’s
Asian Family Center and Africa
House, and raising awareness of
the need to address disparities
in health, poverty, educational
achievement, and access to com-
munity resources among com-
munities of color.
As a former refugee himself,
Lee embodies the vision of the
organization’s commitment to
helping each immigrant and ref-
ugee family achieve their full
potential in their new home.
When he takes office on April
1, Lee will face a changing pic-
ture for immigration and refugee
issues.
“Policies around refugees
have drastically changed,” says
Lee. “For example, during the
late 70s, early 80s, as a refugee,
you would be eligible for federal
and state assistance for up to 38
months- cash and medical assis-
tance, like the welfare programs
offered in the United States.
That is gone now. You can get
at most 8 months now. Basically
the policies say that within those
8 months you need to get a job
and be able to support yourself
and your family.”
Lee also walks into a new
leadership role during a time
when more and more unaccom-
panied minors are crossing into
the United States on a regular
basis.
“That’s not something you
saw as much 30 years ago,” Lee
says.
He says IRCO will have to
continue to expand its services
to the ever-changing face of im-
migration and refugees coming
to the United States.
“That’s the thing about this
work; it’s not always clear what
the community will need next.
We have English classes for the
community, we have all of ser-
vices that try to meet the needs
of the populations we deal with,
but it’s always changing, and
my hope is just to meet those
needs and be prepared for what
comes next.”
Lee will succeed Sokhom
Tauch who successfully led the
organization for 19 years, ex-
panding its capacity to serve
diverse communities with a
well-deserved reputation for
accountability and innovation.
Tauch will become a special ad-
visor at IRCO to aid in the lead-
ership transition.
For more information about
the Immigration and Refugee
Community Organization, as
well as opportunities to volun-
teer with the organization, visit
irco.org or call 503-234-1541.
IRCO offices are located at
10301 N.E. Glisan St.
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