Announcement
Social work students, Spring 2018, including Regina Fruge, LCSW.
Photo: Regina Fruge, LCSW/IRC
The rhythm of a non-profit is entirely subject to capacity. Staff often wear multiple hats; jobs that could be done by several people are many times done by one. The International Rescue Committee in Dallas is no different. The staff at the IRC in Dallas is motivated, compassionate, and hardworking – all traits allowing them to achieve extraordinary results.
Regina Fruge, LCSW, oversees the Social Work Internship Practicum program at the IRC in Dallas. Social Work interns play a crucial role in bolstering the IRC’s capabilities by providing eager, capable, people power.
“The program is mutually beneficial,” Regina says. “Both the IRC and the students themselves benefit tremendously.” Because Regina’s position is completely funded by the generosity of IRC supporters right here in Dallas, she is able to support the Social Work interns as they provide services to our clients without the constraints of grant requirements or federal mandates, focusing on client-driven needs.
This year, the Social Work program piloted a driver’s education course for refugees - something entirely new to the IRC’s US programs!
Social Work Interns primarily serve as Client Advocates, setting aside blocks of time to assist clients with immediate needs. Social Work Interns help with renewal of benefits, medical bill resolution, and immediate food needs. These interns also serve as academic coaches, and facilitate support groups (particularly around ambiguous loss and mindfulness).
Regina’s social work students were approached by two refugee women with limited English ability, whose biggest barrier to self-sufficiency was lack of transportation for themselves and their children while their husbands were at work. The social work interns pitched the driving project idea to IRC in Dallas leadership, who agreed to invest in interpretation for online driving courses for these two women.
The driving program pilot resulted in both women earning their drivers licenses, and a local partner, Fellowship Church of Dallas, offering to continue the program. It was the IRC’s expertise in the client area and ability to get the program off the ground that then allowed it to continue in this capacity.
The Social Work Intern program is proof that the IRC in Dallas is motivated by the needs of our clients, and that the IRC in Dallas is capable of doing big things on a small budget. Consider contributing now to unrestricted funding at the IRC in Dallas, and see what comes next.
Social work students, Fall 2017, including Regina Fruge, LCSW
Photo: Regina Fruge, LCSW/IRC