Interested in volunteering, but short on time? Short-term, high-impact service projects are a great way to welcome and support refugees who are new to our community! Team up with a group of friends, family, classmates, coworkers or other IRC volunteers for any of the activities below.

Community Orientation Field Trips:

Plan and facilitate a community orientation field trip for newly arrived refugees. Field trips help clients learn to navigate their new community using public transportation and also familiarize newcomers to the resources our great city has to offer.

Professional Development Field Trips:

Plan and facilitate a professional development field trip to your organization for refugee job-seekers. Field trips help clients learn to navigate their new community using public transportation and familiarize newcomers to what it takes to thrive in varying work places.

Mock Interview Days:

Help refugee job-seekers practice and improve their job interview skills. Mock interview days can be held at your school or workplace or at the IRC’s office in SeaTac. Mock interview days are a fun way to boost morale, work on team building and provide your students or employees with the chance to work one-on-one with IRC clients.

Educational Workshops:

Share your skills and knowledge with newly resettled refugees! The IRC relies on volunteers and organizational partners to help educate our clients on a variety of important topics, such as financial literacy, health and nutrition, disaster preparedness, public safety, employment skills and more! Please contact us if you or your organization is interested in hosting a workshop or guest speaking in an IRC class.

Donation Drives:

Organizing a fundraising or donation drive is a great way to support the IRC and welcome refugees into our community. Examples of past drives include backpacks and school supplies, household supplies, winter clothing, health and hygiene kits, holiday gifts drives and more!

Special Events and Fundraising Support:

Volunteers bring fresh ideas and unique talents to all IRC events, such as ARTvocacy, Flavors of the IRC, and the Rebuilding Lives Annual Dinner. Join a planning committee or provide staffing support on the day of an event – any level of time commitment is appreciated!

Adopt-a-Family (seasonal):

During the holiday season, bring joy and comfort to a newly arrived refugee family in King County. Community sponsors who participate in Adopt-a-Family are responsible for providing gifts to refugee families resettled by the IRC throughout the past year. This program culminates with a big party for clients and sponsors in December. Stay tuned for details about Adopt-a-Family 2016.

Garden Work Parties (seasonal):

Volunteer for a few hours and make a huge impact at Namaste Community Garden! Work parties allow us to improve and maintain a 80-plot garden space utilized by refugee community members in Tukwila. Garden volunteer activities include things like building compost bins, clearing pathways, repairing the tool shed and weeding/mowing. Tools and equipment are provided and no gardening experience required!