The IRC continues to deliver life-saving programs to the refugee and immigrant community in Charlottesville, while adjusting to the realities of working remotely. Staff members are connecting with clients on a regular basis by telephone or using video platforms like Zoom and WhatsApp.

Our Interpreter Services has responded to the crisis by rapidly expanding remote capabilities for interpreters, staff, and clients to meet via three-way calling. The IRC in Charlottesville has been exploring this option for some time and this crisis has accelerated the move to new ways of providing services. By utilizing the latest technology to train and deploy interpreters, the IRC can greatly expand its services to the region and even other IRC offices across the US, as well as train interpreters from all over the country to provide remote services anywhere. 

In addition to the challenge of communicating with clients with limited English proficiency, we are now facing the added barrier of clients with limited digital literacy. Earlier in the year, the IRC piloted a digital literacy class taught at our office, with volunteer students from the Renaissance School helping clients one-on-one to learn email and other critical functions on their phones. Early in March, our staff distributed 15 laptops to recently arrived clients, thanks to a grant from Marino Philanthropies. With laptops, clients can connect to the IRC and other service providers remotely and students can complete distance learning from home.

The Employment team has helped more than 60 families file for unemployment insurance, deploying a newly-trained team of work-from-home volunteers to assist clients with the process of filing a claim and the weekly follow-up involved.

While refugee arrivals have been temporarily halted by the UNHCR in response to the pandemic, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients continued to arrive through the end of March. The IRC in Charlottesville has welcomed four such families, helping them find housing and assisting them to enroll in services. While employment is challenging for the moment, staff will continue to prepare new arrivals for the American workplace and search for opportunities in businesses such as essential retail that are still hiring.

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IRC staff member Monte Hackney assists a client receiving food donations organized by the PB and J Fund and the Charlottesville Food Justice Network.
Photo: Jordy Yager

With many of our families facing food insecurity as a result of layoffs and school closures, the IRC has developed new partnerships with Keevil & Keevil Grocery and Kitchen and Trader Joe’s to provide donated food assistance to clients. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints has renewed its grant to the IRC to provide fresh and nonperishable foods and hygiene products for clients in need, and we have food boxes prepared for families who are experiencing food insecurity. The IRC has also reached out to families with school-aged children to ensure they are taking advantage of the community-wide distribution of food to children on the free school lunch program.

The New Roots team, in addition to welcoming two new staff members has seen a huge uptick in interest in gardening among refugees and immigrants, reflecting a national trend to grow victory gardens to help mitigate the impacts of possible supply chain disruptions to the food system. New Roots has expanded from 62 to 80 gardeners this year and is in the process of expanding garden plots at its New Roots Farm. In addition to creating additional handwashing stations and instructional videos for clients on hygiene and safety during COVID-19, New Roots is are also collecting gloves, masks, and fabric to make masks to help keep clients safe and healthy while utilizing the garden spaces. Donations of masks, fabric, and gloves can be dropped off at the Fifth Street Community Garden.

The Immigration Services team continues to assist clients seeking to apply for their green card or naturalization, among other services. All one needs to begin the process is an email address and a smartphone (or a computer and a scanner). If you need assistance, please contact [email protected] to get started.

Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, the IRC in Charlottesville and Richmond has raised more than $21,000 in funding to support families with emergency needs during this challenging time. You can make your gift to the newly established emergency fund here.