Local Service Directory

International Rescue Committee

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International Rescue Committee
Jen Dean
221 South 400 West Salt Lake City, UT 84110
801-883-8467

volunteerslc@rescue.org
www.rescue.org/us-program/us-salt-lake-city-ut/volunteerintern-opportunities

Category: Community
County: Salt Lake Valley
Minimum Age Requirement: 18

The IRC provides opportunities for refugees to thrive in America. Each year, thousands of refugees are invited by the U.S. government to seek safety and freedom. Forced to flee conflict or persecution, many have survived for years against incredible odds. They step off the plane with next to nothing but their dignity, hope and determination. In Salt Lake City and many other regional offices across the country, the IRC helps them rebuild their lives.
IRCs Youth Program runs on Tuesdays (ages 8-2) from 4-6pm. Volunteers start out by mentoring refugee youth in this program together with other volunteers with a group of 2 refugee children from all over the world. The schedule and activities are flexible. The purpose of this program is to help youth discover what they love to do, build confidence and provide the support they need. Volunteers under 18 must have parent sign a release. A 10 week commitment is required, as well as a one hour general orientation and youth specific orientation.
The after school program is awesome. I learned so much as a volunteer. The refugee youth probably teach me more than I teach them. Their families are so welcoming; the treat me like family and I was able to learn about their culture. - Ruthie Arevalo, Salt Lake City, UT

 

Age Minimum Requirement: 18

Opportunities

Refugee Youth Afterschool Tutor

18+
Refugee Youth Afterschool Tutor LOCATION: Granite Park Junior High, 3031 S. 200 E. SLC, UT START DATE: Sept 8th- Dec 12th TRAINING: September 8th and 9th from 3-5pm at Granite Park Junior High (3031 South 200 East) DURATION: one-day a week (M-Th), 3-5pm, for a minimum of one-semester SCOPE OF VOLUNTEER WORK: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is part of a unique partnership called Promise Refugee Youth (PRY) together with Granite school district (GSD), Asian Association of Utah (AAU), Catholic Community Services (CCS), United Way (UW) and Granite Park Junior High School (GPJH). Refugee youth have unique needs, due to the varying circumstances from which they come. For many refugee youth, they arrive in the United States with little to no formal education, education that has been interrupted or, for some, low levels of literacy. They also arrive with the overwhelming task of navigating a new culture and school environment. Due to these unique needs, PRY is starting a pilot program at GPJH to serve newly arrived refugee 7th graders during the 2014-2015 school year. Tutors will provide academic and social support for refugee youth in the program so that they can master necessary skills needed to strive for excellence, graduate high school and attend post secondary education.   RESPONSIBILITIES: Work one-on-one or in small groups, with assigned refugee student, to support academic achievement and social integration.  Includes, but is not limited to: Explaining content of homework assignments and tutoring in specific subjects Guiding students in problem solving and completion of academic assignments Encouraging students to respond to difficult materials by being supportive Accompanying student to the various afterschool enrichment activities at the Grizzly Academy afterschool program Building a supportive, authentic relationship; get to know students personally Teaching students about US culture, school system, and community resources Model good behavior; reinforce school rules and positive behavior Abide by the program parameters and policies as outlined by the Grizzly Academy at Granite Park Junior High School Complete weekly volunteer logs; notify staff if you plan to be absent   REQUIREMENTS: Commit to at least 2 hours each week for at least one semester (Sept-Dec ‘14) Attend mandatory volunteer trainings Individuals must be 18 years or older and must have a high school diploma/GED Ability to help youth with varying abilities in English and academic subjects Ability to communicate effectively in English; fluency in a refugee language helpful Ability to think creatively, outside of the box and be flexible Previous experience with youth preferred; experience with academic tutoring helpful Strong desire to help refugee students achieve their potential Dependable and prompt Background check required  

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Refugee Youth Mentor

20+
Refugee Youth Mentor LOCATION: Various locations in the community START DATE: Ongoing TRAINING: end of September (date TBA) from 5-7pm at the IRC office (221 South 400 West) DURATION: one-day per week for a minimum of one-year; includes monthly field trips with other mentors/mentees SCOPE OF VOLUNTEER WORK: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is part of a unique partnership called Promise Refugee Youth (PRY). The partnership includes Granite school district (GSD), Asian Association of Utah (AAU), Catholic Community Services (CCS), United Way (UW) and Granite Park Junior High School (GPJH). Refugee youth have unique needs, due to the varying circumstances from which they come. For many refugee youth, they arrive in the United States with little to no formal education, education that has been interrupted or, for some, low levels of literacy. They also arrive with the overwhelming task of navigating a new culture and school environment. To help them adjust to their new lives in the United States, PRY is starting a pilot program at GPJH to serve newly arrived refugee 7th graders during the 2014-2015 school year. As part of this program, youth will be matched with mentors. Consistent, caring, culturally competent adult mentors will help refugee youth develop meaningful relationships, improve their academic outcomes, integrate into their new communities and gain positive values and identity. RESPONSIBILITIES: Meet weekly with your assigned refugee student at least 2 hours a week at a designated location for a minimum of 1 year. Build an authentic relationship with your mentee; get to know them personally Plan activities based on the needs and interests of your mentee Empower your mentee to access community resources Participate in monthly mentor field trips with your mentee and other mentor/mentees Model good behavior and reinforce positive behavior Abide by the program parameters and policies Complete weekly volunteer logs and monthly updates Notify the mentee and program coordinator in advance if you are expecting to be absent REQUIREMENTS: Commit to developing a long term, supportive relationship with a refugee student Individuals must be 20 years or older and must have a high school degree Attend mandatory volunteer mentor orientation and subsequent trainings. Attend a match meeting with refugee youth and their family. Previous experience with youth preferred; experience working with ELL students helpful Dependable and prompt Creative, flexible, outgoing, self-motivated and ability to work independently Strong desire to help refugee students achieve their potential Ability to communicate effectively in English; fluency in a refugee language helpful Background check required, including driving history report and clearance. APPLICATION PROCESS: Submit an application including interests, intent, education, experience and references Attend a face to face interview with the Youth Program Coordinator Clear a background check and driving clearance

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IRC In-Home Tutoring

18
Volunteers are needed to work one-on-one with refugee youth! Tutors will work with the student once a week for one hour for a minimum of 6 months. Help improve academic performance by inspiring interest, pre-teaching vocabulary, and practicing writing! If you are interested in working in a multicultural youth setting, email grace.jordan@rescue.org and chris.alegre@rescue.org

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Reviews

Anonymous
October 12, 2015
The International Rescue Committee is a great way to volunteer! They have so many options for volunteers - you can help out at the front desk for as little as two hours a week. The Youth Programs has an in-home refugee tutoring program, and there are a plethora of other opportunities. I highly recommend volunteering with the IRC.
Anonymous
May 22, 2018
They have a lot of different service projects that you can do such as a Christmas drive for a refugee family, setting up for a party that donates money to refugees, a goat project that refugees go to, and a tutor program for refugees. The only downside is that you have to be 18 or older to work with the refugees, so I had to have my mom work with us for a lot of the hours.
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