Announcement
The Power Of Youth Engagement
Youth engagement plays a critical role in building sustainable, community-driven solutions to humanitarian challenges. When young people are given the tools, guidance, and opportunities to participate meaningfully, they bring creativity, empathy, and long-term commitment to social impact. At the International Rescue Committee (IRC), youth-led initiatives strengthen community ties and reinforce the idea that humanitarian action is not limited by age, but driven by shared responsibility.
Meet Kai: A Bay Area Youth Turning Compassion Into Action
Kai a middle school student with a strong interest in technology, transformed that belief into action by creating a fundraising website to support the IRC in Oakland. Inspired by his father Rafik’s experience as a refugee and shaped by conversations with IRC staff, Kai set out with a simple goal: to help families facing hardship access basic necessities.
Through his website Kai invited his network to donate and raised nearly $1,000 in donations. He purchased grocery gift cards for IRC in Oakland clients, including survivors of human trafficking and newly arrived refugees. These gift cards provided timely, flexible assistance to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity after cuts to SNAP benefits in November.
Meeting Immediate Needs with Dignity
According to Erick, an Anti-Trafficking Supervisor at IRC in Oakland, grocery gift cards play a critical role in meeting immediate needs. Many newcomers experience delays in accessing public benefits such as CalFresh or are awaiting work authorization, making it difficult to afford groceries and household essentials. While IRC in Oakland operates a weekly food pantry through partnerships with local food banks, access can be limited by transportation, documentation, or scheduling constraints. Grocery gift cards help bridge these gaps by offering flexibility, dignity, and immediate relief during periods of uncertainty.
For Kai, seeing how his fundraising directly supported IRC clients was a meaningful learning experience. What began as an idea to create gift baskets evolved into a more effective solution after feedback from IRC staff, who emphasized the importance of flexibility and client-centered support. Kai’s willingness to adapt his approach reflects the values that guide IRC’s work every day.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Changemakers
Youth engagement also helps cultivate future advocates and leaders. Early exposure to service encourages long-term commitment to social impact, and contributions of time, skills, creativity, and knowledge are essential to sustaining programs that serve vulnerable populations.
The IRC relies on partnerships with individuals, families, and communities to continue supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of trafficking as they rebuild their lives. Community-led efforts like Kai’s demonstrate how collective action can make a tangible difference.
Get Involved!
By donating, volunteering, or sharing expertise, supporters help ensure that newcomers have access to the resources they need to move toward stability and self-sufficiency. Kai’s story serves as a reminder that when young people are empowered to act, meaningful change follows.
Join us in supporting IRC's work in Oakland. Together, we can help individuals and families build safer, more stable futures.
Donate
Give a tax-deductible financial contribution either via the website or sent to our office. Click here to donate now.
Interested in doing a donation drive like Kai? Check out our donations page for more information on goods IRC collects for newcomers. Contact us at GetInvolvedIRCOakland@rescue.org with questions.
Volunteer or Intern:
There are volunteer and internship opportunities working alongside the IRC and recently arrived newcomers in your community. Click here to learn more about these opportunities at the IRC in Oakland.
Stay in Touch:
Be the first to know what the IRC is doing in your community. Sign up for updates from the IRC or connect with us on Facebook.