April is National Volunteer Month, where we honor the generous volunteers in our communities who make our work possible! Although our in-person volunteer opportunities are currently paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in honor of Volunteer Month we reached out to our dedicated volunteers to learn more about why they first got involved with the IRC.
Susan Kann, First Things First Women’s English class volunteer
“There were 2 Sudanese ‘Lost Boys’ living in my neighborhood from 2001-2006 and then attending high school with my children. Our whole family befriended them and helped them in various ways, from tutoring, to playing soccer, to teaching them to slow dance at prom! When I retired from teaching, I sought a volunteer position helping refugees and luckily for me, I found the IRC in Atlanta!”
Daniela Utrera, English class volunteer
“As an immigrant myself, I understand the struggles and difficulties that these communities go through. I feel this is a great opportunity to make a significant impact in a small way and give back to my community. I believe that the ripple effects of spending a few hours a week volunteering at the IRC goes a long way in helping better someone’s life and to empower them and positively shape their experience.”
Did you know? In 2019 our work was supported by 860 volunteers and interns, with a total of 26,063 volunteer hours donated!
Kelly Daniels, Citizenship class volunteer
“I want the world to know that refugees are just like us. They love their families, they want to thrive and contribute, they want to build a home and a future. They were successful in their previous lives, before everything was ripped away from them. I’ve met healthcare workers, artists and professors… all who are starting from zero in a new country, unable to speak the local language. To succeed under these circumstances takes incredible drive and commitment. My students come week after week, month after month, all to make the most of their new lives for themselves and their children. It’s beautiful. And I’m honored to help them.”
Nikita Samant, Youth Futures afterschool program volunteer
“One thing I would like the world to know about our clients is that although many of them are coming from adverse situations and have had to flee their home countries, they are the most compassionate, down to earth, and hardworking people. I am currently still tutoring the high school students virtually which has made teaching and connecting more difficult, but I'm so glad the IRC has put in the extra effort to make virtual volunteering happen because it is so important!”
Richard Nikonovich-Kahn, English class volunteer
“I volunteer at IRC as a way of fighting back against an ugly strain of xenophobia that has gripped much of this country. I also volunteer because I am retired and want to do something to help improve the world. The clients have taught me that if they can survive the worst the world has to offer and still have such good attitudes, I need to understand that my 'problems' pale in comparison, and that I need to emulate their attitude.”
Meagan Swingle, Childcare volunteer
“I started volunteering at the IRC four years ago, because I wanted to show these IRC families that they are welcomed and loved. I cannot begin to imagine what they've gone through and now that they've finally made it here to Atlanta, to make a new home, I want them to know they're loved and we're so glad they're here. I miss rocking babies to sleep. I miss comforting them when they're crying. I miss seeing the staff at the IRC and their endless devotion to their clients. I miss the weekly shot of hope I receive when I'm at the IRC and I am reminded that there are really good people in the world who are devoting their lives to helping refugees make new homes here.”
Thank you to our incredible volunteers for all that you do to make #RefugeesWelcome here in Georgia!
To learn more about the work of the IRC in Atlanta and for information on how you can get involved with the IRC as a donor or volunteer, please contact Development Manager, Kalie Lasiter, at Kalie.Lasiter [at] Rescue.org or 678-636-8941.
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