International Rescue Committee
How You Can Help › Volunteer

Volunteer With the IRC

Thanks for your interest in volunteering with the International Rescue Committee.  Learn more about opportunities to help in the United States and around the world — and even online:

In the United States

The IRC’s U.S. offices rely on volunteers to support their work helping refugees adjust to a new life in the U.S

Volunteers work closely with IRC staff members to:

  • Tutor refugees in basic English skills
  • Help refugees write resumes and prepare for job interviews
  • Contact potential employers on behalf of refugees
  • Assist IRC staff with cultural orientations
  • Accompany refugees to various appointments
  • Pick up donated furniture and goods and deliver them to refugees’ new homes
  • Provide basic office support
  • Help staff write grants and maintain a grants database
  • Help staff with media relations and publications such as newsletters, brochures and annual reports
  • Mentor refugee families or individuals

We look for volunteers with:

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Flexibility, patience and the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
  • The ability to work well in team as well as independently

Helpful, but not essential:

  • Prior experience working with refugees, asylees or immigrants
  • Fluency in another language (French, Arabic, Somali, Vietnamese, Bosnian, Russian, etc.)

For more information or to volunteer, please contact the IRC office in your area.

Global Programs

We also periodically post volunteer opportunities with programs worldwide. Please visit our Job Search page and select "Volunteer" from the "Work Schedule" menu.

Online Volunteers

Help spread the word about humanitarian issues and the work that we do. If you have a blog or Web site, please link to us!  More ways to help:

 

An IRC volunteer helps a refugee family navigate through a new life in New York City.
Photo: 
Photo: Steven Carbó, stevencarbophoto@yahoo.com