International
Rescue Committee
Shadi Karajeh
Volunteer & Intern Program Coordinator
Shadi.Karajeh@Rescue.org
(916) 482-0120, Ext. 212
Leanne Cameron
Volunteer ESL Program Coordinator
Leanne.Cameron@Rescue.org
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First and Foremost:
Welcome and Thank You!
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AGENDA
1. Introductions
2. Journey Video (6 min)
3. Who We Are: IRC Mission, History, &
Programs (10 min)
4. US Resettlement (Refugee 101) (30min)
5. IRC Sacramento (10 min)
6. Q&A
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Ten Refugees, One Journey
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Who We Are > About the IRC
The International Rescue Committee responds
to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps
people to survive and rebuild their lives.
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Mission: Working to restore safety, dignity,
and hope to millions who are uprooted and
struggling to endure
Operates in more than 40 countries and 22
U.S. cities
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Who We Are > History
Founded at the request of Albert Einstein in
1933:
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Assist Germans suffering under the Third
Reich, went on to help other victims of WW2
Originally named International Relief
Association
Merged with European Rescue Committee
to become IRC in 1942
Established refugee centers throughout
Europe in 1945
Initiated refugee resettlement program for
Eastern Europeans (1940s-1990s)
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Who We Are > Past Work
The IRC has assisted in aiding victims of countless
international conflicts and crises, including:
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Assisting during the Berlin Blockade (1950)
Relief to those fleeing the Vietnam War (1950s1970s)
Worked with Solidarity in Poland for providing
health services to movement (1987)
Set up emergency aid in Tanzania & Zaire for
those fleeing Rwanda (1994)
Reconstruction programs for Afghan refugees
returning home (2002)
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Who We Are > Resettlement Efforts
The IRC has worked to offer resettlement and relief to a variety of
refugee groups, including:
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Hungarians fleeing the Soviets (1956)
Cubans fleeing Castro’s regime (1960)
Vietnamese, Cambodians, and other groups fleeing
violence in Vietnam (1950s-1972)
Refugees from the Soviet Union (1940s-1990s)
Afghan refugees fleeing the Soviet invasion (1980)
Palestinians & Lebanese uprooted by war (1982)
Refugees from the Iraq/Afghan conflicts (2002present)
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Who We Are > The IRC’s Services
Worldwide, the IRC offers a variety of services:
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Crisis response: Arrives on-scene within 72 hours with
supplies and expertise
Health Services: Sends doctors and experts to provide
health care, clean water, and sanitation during/after a crisis
Rebuilding Communities & Restoring Dignity: Works to
rebuild areas following crisis through community involvement
Protecting Women & Girls: Provides reproductive care,
support to victims of sexual violence, and economic
opportunities
Taking Care of Children and Uniting Families: Reunites
families, provides education & recreation for trauma recovery
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Syria Refugee Crisis
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Who We Are > IRC by the Numbers
In 2012, the IRC was able to:
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Provide 14 million with primary and reproductive
health care
Vaccinate 292,000 children against disease
Helped 151,000 women deliver healthy babies
Help 1.4 million access clean drinking water and
safe sanitation
Train 15,000 educators
Provide school spaces for 589,000 girls and boys
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Refugee 101 –
Comprehensive Orientation to
Refugee Resettlement
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What We Do > Refugee Resettlement
Domestically, the IRC helps refugees start their new lives. For
most refugees, we provide six months of assistance:
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Apartment Set Up
Airport Pickup
Cultural Orientation
Assistance in Accessing Services (including accessing
schools, medical care, etc.)
Transportation Assistance
Job Readiness Classes
Job Placement Assistance
English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes
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Services Provided through the IRC Sacramento
Resettlement
90 days
Employment
120 – 180 days
ESL
120 – 180 days
Health Access
120 – 180 days
Financial Literacy
120 – 180 days
Immigration Services
5+ years
New Roots
5+ years
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How You Can Help > ESL Classes
Refugees take ESL classes to help
improve their English, which is an
important part of getting a job and
integrating in the U.S.
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Volunteer Opportunity:
Conversation Partner/Tutor
Current Schedule:
Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30 &
Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00pm
Time Commitment: 3-4
months.
January 2014: Times
changing to be earlier for
Monday-Wednesday
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How You Can Help > Office Assistant Volunteer
Asset staff with sorting and filing of
documents, production, copying, and
mailing of materials.
Assist with processing new clients.
Relieve staff as needed for reception
duties.
Other related duties as assigned.
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Volunteer Opportunity:
Reception and admin
assistance.
Current Schedule: M-F,
9:00am-5pm (preferred two
shits per week), 4-12
hours/week.
Time Commitment: 3-4
months.
How You Can Help > Special Events and
Donation Drives
Assist resource development staff with
special events, donations drives and
campaigns. In-Kind donation support.
DiY Fundraising: Start your own
fundraising campaign to raise money for
the IRC:
http://diy.rescue.org/
•Volunteer Opportunity: Resource
volunteer
•Current Schedule: Flexible
•Time Commitment: 3 months.
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Sacramento International Rescue Committee
Volunteer Opportunities
International Rescue Committee Northern California Rescue.org/NorthernCalifornia
2020 Hurley Way Suite 395 | Sacramento, CA 95825|
T 916 482 0120 x 312
Office Assistant
Volunteer
When
ESL Tutoring
Volunteer
Special Events and
Donation Drives
Monday—Friday
(preferred two shifts per
week)
Flexible hours
Tuesday 4-5:30pm
Wednesday 7:30-9pm
4-12 Hours
1.5 – 3 Hours
2-4 Hours
4 Months
On-site training
4 Months
On- site training and training
with ESL instructor
3 Months
On-site training with
development team
Sacramento IRC Staff
Members
ESL Instructors; Leanne or
Amanda
Volunteer Coordinator
Weekly Commitment
Time Commitment
Training
Supervision
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Process to Become a Volunteer
How can you get involved?
1. Attend an Information Session
2. Fill out the application
3. Attend an interview with the Volunteer Coordinator
and/or other Staff Member
4. Complete and pass background check
5. Volunteer Coordinator offers you a position
6. Attend Orientation
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Thank you for your attention!
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