Nature and Purpose
   The International Rescue Committee (IRC) was founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein to assist anti-Nazi opponents of Hitler.  Since then, IRC has become the leading American non-sectarian voluntary agency serving refugees worldwide.  US offices provide resettlement services to newly arriving refugees, ranging in age from newborn to the elderly, and successfully effect the reunification of family members who are often left scattered throughout the world.
   The IRC Boston resettlement office, located in downtown Boston, first opened its doors in 1979 to respond to the increasing number of refugees from Vietnam.  Since then, the office has expanded to become the leading resettlement agency in the greater Boston area, resettling between 500 and 900 refugees each year.  Today, in addition to Southeast Asians, IRC provides opportunity for refugees from countries as diverse as Somalia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Haiti, Iraq, Albania, Cuba and the countries of the former Soviet Union.  Resettlement, Employment and Youth Services offer refugees a chance to learn skills, adjust to the US, and find work as they rebuild meaningful lives in their new communities.  We are currently looking for about 12 volunteers.

Tasks
   Resettlement volunteers will work with case managers to assist newly arrived refugees to find housing, medical care, English classes, and will help orient them to transportation, schools, social security and other systems in Boston.  Hours would be scheduled between  9 AM-5 PM.
   Employment volunteers will work to match newly arrived refugees with jobs by tutoring in vocational ESL, practicing applications and interviews, accompanying clients on job interviews, and/or teaching small classes in work-related skills.  Hours would be scheduled between 9 AM-5 PM.
   Youth Program volunteers will work between the hours of 1-5 PM with Somali high school students in an afterschool program, by teaching and tutoring, as well as planning and going on fieldtrips.
   Immigration Services volunteers will work with the Immigration Specialist to assist clients to apply for their green cards and citizenship, helping to process forms, gather information from clients, and answer queries.  Hours would be scheduled from 9am to 5pm any day except Wednesday.
Supervision
   IRC’s Volunteer Coordinator will supervise volunteers, and match them with appropriate program staff and/or clients.  Volunteers will meet regularly to discuss experiences and issues of concern.  Orientation to working with refugees will be provided, as will orientation to working with Somali youth for volunteers in that program.

Supervisor:    Rita Kantarowski, Executive Director
                      

Address:  International Rescue Committee
    162 Boylston St., Suite 50
    Boston, MA  02116
    Tel.: (617) 482-1154 ext. 222
    Fax:  (617) 482-7922
    www.theIRC.org
 

Council Member:  Joe Previtera