We are abundantly grateful for our volunteers and interns—like April—whose dedicated service to the IRC changes lives. Coalition and collaboration are essential to sustain welcome and human dignity across our communities for refugees, immigrants and survivors of human trafficking. Join us!

For nearly 25 years, April has been a cornerstone of the IRC in Charlottesville, volunteering since 2000 as both a family mentor and ESL tutor. Her consistency and deep compassion have supported dozens of families as they build new lives in the United States. “I just try to make life a little easier, in whatever small way I can, for people who’ve had a hard time,” April says. 

How did you get connected with the IRC? 

I was wrapping up a job and looking for a way to connect with people from other countries. I wanted to build meaningful connections in my life, and I had curiosity and a desire to learn about this kind of work. I was also becoming more aware of what refugees go through, what they endure just to get here. I felt a real appreciation for their experiences and wanted to be part of helping them settle.  

Describe your volunteer history and current role with the IRC.

When I started, there were two main ways to get involved: as an English as a Second Language (ESL) tutor or a family mentor. I chose to be a family mentor, which meant helping newly arrived families get acclimated, such as showing them around town, connecting them to resources, and helping with everyday tasks. Over the years I’ve worked with families from Togo, Rwanda, Iran, and several other countries. Some relationships lasted just a few months; others went on for years. It all depended on what the families needed. I loved every bit of it—everything from helping someone find a park to teaching them to drive a stick shift. It was incredibly enriching. 

Just before the pandemic, I transitioned into ESL tutoring. A friend of mine, who taught preschool, retired and gave me her materials for English learners. I started using those with my students and they loved them—it was a big hit! I usually meet one-on-one with learners a few times a week. We always spend part of our time just chatting and catching up, which I think is valuable for conversational practice. 

Lately, I’ve been working mostly with women, many of them mothers, who are balancing family life with their studies. They’re so flexible, curious and committed. One of my students is preparing for her citizenship test and I’ve been thinking about her a lot. She’s worked so hard and I just hope she’s able to stay here safely. It breaks me that she might get sent back to a country that threatens her very existence.  

What motivates you to volunteer? 

Volunteering with the IRC really enriches my life. It’s made me deeply grateful for the contributions immigrants make to this country.
When I really get to know people personally, it has made my appreciation grow even bigger. My clients are working so hard to build lives and be good citizens here. 

I also think about my own family. My grandfather was an unaccompanied minor when he came to this country from England at 13 years old. He had family here, but he still had to start out from scratch. That’s the story of so many Americans—we've come from other countries or our ancestors have. So I really appreciate the contributions of immigrants. I don't know who we would be without them.  

The people I meet inspire me. Some of my students came here under Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) status after helping the U.S. government. They risked their lives for the U.S., and they’re so motivated to succeed. I try, in whatever small way I can, to make their transition a little easier. 

And beyond all of that, I find volunteering really fun!  

What has been particularly meaningful about your volunteer service? 

One of my first families included two young men from Croatia who had been living in Bosnia. They were here alone, one in high school, the other in his early twenties. I helped them get settled and oriented to the community. A few years later, I went out to dinner with my brother and a friend, and the waiter told us about the restaurant’s owner—his story sounded so familiar. It turned out he was one of those young men I’d mentored! He came out to greet us and I was so proud to have been a part of his orientation to the U.S. and becoming a part of the community… it was a wonderful feeling. 

The Afghan women I’ve tutored are incredibly hospitable. One of my students insisted I eat breakfast at her home—she’d lay out a whole spread on the floor and said, “Don’t eat before you come!” Another brought me into her kitchen to show me how she makes a traditional dish. These women were incredibly generous in sharing their culture and faith with me. On a memorable visit, the student explained to me what Islam was about to her: "Kindness," my student said, putting her hand over her heart. My students remind me that this isn’t a one-way relationship; we share mutual learning and even friendship. It was great experience.  

Why would you recommend someone get involved with the IRC? 

The IRC does amazing work, both globally and right here in our community. They provide direct support for people in crisis, connect refugees with local resources and partner with organizations in really effective ways. I’ve always been impressed by how much of their work goes directly into service. 

I also think refugees are often misunderstood. Many people don't know how carefully they're checked out in the process of being accepted here. It's incredibly difficult. Also, there’s this misconception that they’re dependent, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. What I’ve seen is gratitude, resilience and an eagerness to contribute. They enrich our communities in so many ways. 

There’s so much ingenuity in how the IRC operates. IRC makes life livable and often thriving for refugees. It's just an amazing organization. 

Explore service opportunities at Rescue.org/Volunteer by searching Charlottesville or Richmond's location.  

Donate to support the IRC’s mission in Charlottesville and Richmond.

Explore more! Volunteers Carol and Bob shaped their lives around welcoming refugees in Colorado.