Students stand around several goats, petting and photographing them at the goat ranch pasture
75 students joined in for a day of service at the Utah Refugee Goat Project and the New Roots Farm.
Photo: Courtesy of Kate Wright

Last month, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Salt Lake City hosted a total group of 75 students – sophomores to seniors from Judge Memorial Catholic High School – who volunteered at the New Roots Farm and the Utah Refugee Goat Project. The students joined in a day of volunteering at the IRC for their annual Christ the King Service Day. Masked students worked in groups of 10 or fewer at the outdoor sites during specified shifts, ensuring ample physical distancing for a safe day of service. The group completed much-needed infrastructure projects New Roots and the Goat Project as they prepared for the warmer weather to come.   

Year after year, Judge partners consistently with the IRC in Salt Lake City for a group volunteer project. At the New Roots farm, the students’ projects ranged from spreading mulch, composting and weeding to tree trimming and building a fence.  

“They came positive, engaged, and ready to work,” says Abdullah El-Hattab, the New Roots Redwood farm coordinator. He was very impressed by the hard work of the high school students, whose efforts will allow New Roots farmers to spend less time weeding and more time growing and harvesting as the growing season springs to life. Abdullah explains that putting in this amount of work in the early season to prepare the farm beds will likely lead to better vegetable production and increased food access for local communities. 

At the Goat Project, the volunteers focused on the large-scale project of fence-building. Greta Webb, the Goat Project financial capability AmeriCorps VISTA says she was also impressed by the students. “Putting up fencing isn’t easy,” Greta says. Students stretched metal wire and placed large posts, ensuring a sturdy containment structure for the goat herd. Greta says that in addition to getting a lot done, it seemed like the group had a lot of fun doing it.  

A volunteer from Judge Memorial High School pets the goats at the Utah Refugee Goat Project
In addition to fence-building, the students had a chance to get familiar with the goats.
Photo: Courtesy of Kate Wright

One of the biggest benefits of group volunteers is their ability to help programs accomplish large-scale, time-consuming tasks with ease. “Group volunteers can accomplish a lot in one day, and get big projects done,” shares Caitlin Fellows, development coordinator. Caitlin, who oversees group volunteering at the IRC in Salt Lake City, looks forward to continuing to strengthen the group volunteering efforts at the IRC and building valuable partnerships like that with Judge Memorial Catholic High School, saying that she wants to see people from all different kinds of backgrounds have access to volunteer projects. “The more people that come and volunteer, the more people learn about our work,” she says.  

Due to the pandemic, the students came in several shifts throughout the day. At this time, volunteer groups are limited to no more than 10 people, and only the spacious outdoor locations are accepting group volunteers. All volunteers are required to wear masks and participate in a COVID-19 safety orientation.  

Every group supporting the IRC in Salt Lake City doubles its impact by making a donation in support of the program. Whether a monetary gift or a direct donation of supplies, the donation ensures a lasting effect for the program well after the day of volunteering. Monetary donations also help programs cover expenses associated with the project as well as helping cover staff time—an integral component ensuring planning, logistics and day-of facilitation runs smoothly. 

Learn more about organizing your next group volunteer project with the IRC in Salt Lake City here »