Announcement
This year during National Volunteer Week, April 18-24 we are highlighting IRC volunteers who make the work we do possible, who go above and beyond to serve refugees and vulnerable families and individuals, and who embody the mission and vision of the IRC.
Read about the following volunteers:
- Cheryl - Life-long reader, learner and long-time IRC Volunteer
- Leane - Social Worker, world traveler, community advocate and IRC Anti-Trafficking Intern
- Betsy - Educator, mother and long-time IRC Volunteer
- Khadija - Student, Engineer and Refugee advocate and supporter
- Jameelah - Student and Refugee Resettlement Intern
- Olivia - social worker, nature enthusiast & IRC Youth Program Volunteer
Cheryl
Cheryl is a long-time IRC volunteer who has taught English, transported clients to appointments, assisting youth with school work and learning English and answering phone calls at the reception desk.
How long have you been volunteering with the IRC in Kansas? 4 years
How did you first hear about the IRC and what motivates you to volunteer? I'd long been aware of the IRC in general, but it wasn't until I was looking for a place in Wichita to volunteer that I learned there's a Wichita chapter. I was motivated to help due to my frustration and being overwhelmed with the worlds problems. While I cannot stop a war, I can befriend someone and help them settle into a new life here. I can move that one grain of sand. As individuals, we can't address the big problems of the world, but we can do a little bit right here.
What has moved you during your volunteer work? When I go with a mother and child for a child's check up at the doctor, I can hold the child for a while so mom doesn't always have to carry them. I'm able to give some relief because someone else is there. One time while driving a family to an appointment, they saw a big helicopter landing in a field. The two young sisters and their father were so excited to see it. Another time, I drove past a field of horses with a family who were fascinated to see them. It's very rewarding to see things that bring joy.
What is the biggest misconception about refugees in Kansas? The biggest misconception is not knowing the difference between immigrants and refugees. If people appreciated the reasons and stories of why people need to relocate, there would be more support. We learn from diversity, any kind, and there is so much we can learn from others. We can learn family values, skills, patience; it's a two-way street.
What advice would you give to those considering volunteering their time? Just do it; don't be intimidated or feel awkward. Go and start.
Read more about Cheryl's story here.
Leane
How long have you been interning with the IRC in Kansas? Since January
In which areas have you interned with the IRC? I am the Anti-Trafficking Case Aide Intern for The Lighthouse Project. I shadow the Anti-Trafficking Caseworker to learn more about case management, conducting community outreach and networking with agencies/service providers.
What makes interning at the IRC meaningful for you?
The staff have gone above and beyond their requirements to ensure I get the experience I want. I love the relationship-centered work; focusing on the client, their wants and trying to cater available services into creating a personalized experience for them.
What is one memorable experience so far? The Anti-Trafficking Caseworker and I went into the community to conduct outreach and distribute blessing bags to people who are homeless. It was a great opportunity to have conversations about human trafficking because it can sometimes be tricky to identify. It's important for The Lighthouse Project to have feet on the ground and for staff and interns to get to know the community.
What is the biggest misconception about human trafficking in Kansas? A common misconception is that there is only sex trafficking. There is a danger in only publicly portraying human trafficking one way. Human trafficking is typically portrayed as women from different racial backgrounds being taken across country lines into sex trafficking. This does happen, but it's a limited representation of a wider community. It’s important to dedicate time to anti-trafficking work because people who are trafficked can easily feel trapped and without options. When individuals are in a season of chronic vulnerability, it’s valuable to have community outreach where they feel empowered and know they have options to take the steps towards entering a new season of life.
Read more about Leane's story here.
Betsy
How long have you been volunteering with the IRC in Kansas? 4 years
In which areas have you volunteered with the IRC? I’ve taken clients to places like social security and doctor appointments, I’ve done household setups and taught English.
As a longtime volunteer, what motivates you to stay involved? Getting to know the clients, you fall in love with them! I enjoy giving someone who comes from a difficult situation a chance to succeed and be happy. They motivate me.
What is the most memorable accomplishment of your volunteer experience? I’ve helped illiterate women learn to write their name. We started with learning how to hold a pencil and eventually they could write both their first and last names. I had taken one person to a doctor appointment and they couldn’t sign their name when they checked in for their appointment. We worked on learning how to write her name and I was able to take her to another appointment where she triumphantly signed her name.
Why would you invite others to volunteer with the IRC? It’s an experience that enriches your life, gives you a new perspective and can help someone else. Don’t be afraid to volunteer because you feel you don’t have a certain skill. There are so many volunteer opportunities available that there’s bound to be something you can do and enjoy. The people are so fun!
Read more about Betsy's story here.
Khadija
How long have you been volunteering with the IRC in Kansas? 2 years, I started volunteering in December 2019.
In which areas have you volunteered with the IRC? I currently volunteer virtually in English class during the evenings. Before COVID-19, I helped with digital literacy, transportation, and picking up and delivering necessary items. I also participated in English conversation classes over weekend. I would bring clients to class, help the group practice holding conversations in English and return clients to their homes.
What is it about the IRC’s mission that appeals to you personally? Not only does the IRC look out for people who have been displaced, but they also bring back their dignity. We must treat refugees like equals. The IRC isn't in charge. On the contrary, they try to give people back their own sense of humanity. It’s important to restore the dignity of humans that have been forcibly dragged into circumstances they did not control.
What is the most memorable accomplishment of your volunteer experience? There are so many. I was teaching someone English and they were struggling with having a conversation. They didn’t feel they would ever be able to reach that level but they worked hard and eight months later, we were having regular, everyday conversations. We were making jokes and talking about pie recipes. I reminded them of how far they’ve come and they were extremely happy.
What would you say is the biggest misconception about refugees in Kansas? Why do you feel they are an important part of the community to dedicate your time to? Some people don’t think refugees bring anything to the table or that they bring something negative or destructive. This is the danger of one single narrative. It's important to stop looking through the scope of one's own media, environment and culture and instead reach out and look at the IRC’s work. Then they would discover that refugees are resilient and embody the spirit attributed to America. They work hard to be a part of our society and give back to our community. It’s important to explore the narratives of immigrants and refugees where they are in control, telling their own story.
Jameelah
In which areas have you interned with the IRC? My internship is in refugee resettlement. I work with refugees who recently arrived in Kansas.
What makes interning at the IRC a meaningful use of your time? Interning here gives me the experience I need to be able to work in this field. This is a meaningful use of my time because things like running to the store or taking someone to their doctor appointment may seem small and trivial but for a client it actually makes a huge impact.
I once walked with a client to the store so they could learn how to get there and I explained what the colors on the stoplight mean. He thanked me because he hadn’t understood what the red, yellow, and green lights meant.
What is the most memorable accomplishment of your intern experience? I once helped set up Zoom for a client. While we waited for it to download, we had the opportunity to talk about internet safety. Afterwards, they thanked me for explaining everything and told me that they will never forget me as their first teacher.
What would you say is the biggest misconception about refugees in Kansas? I’ve noticed that what a refugee looks like isn’t black and white, there’s not one specific image. Refugees come from all different backgrounds. They can be farmers, teachers, it could happen to anybody. That’s why it’s important to keep an open mind. Refugees are also resilient, and a lot of people don’t see that.
Olivia
Olivia - IRC Youth Program Volunteer
How long have you been volunteering with the IRC in Kansas? Since January 2020
In which areas have you volunteered with the IRC? Youth Program – Originally, I tutored in-person but now that activities are virtual, I help youth with their leadership skills and teach them how to set goals academically and personally. I love working with them!
What is it about the IRC’s mission that appeals to you personally? I see it as a way to help communities from a marginalized background. They are coming to an environment that maybe isn’t always the most welcoming. How do you navigate your life here if you don’t speak English? Refugees are smart and capable, and it’s great to be working alongside them to find the tools to empower them along the way.
Do you have any anecdotes about your time volunteering that really moved you? I loved driving families home and listening to the afrobeat music they like. I also enjoy working on goal setting with students and encouraging them to think about things in a new way and to make a plan.
What would you say is the biggest misconception about refugees in Kansas? The narrative in the US is that refugees cost taxpayers money. People don’t understand how hard it is to get into the U.S. as a refugee and the vetting process they go through. Also, many don’t understand that it isn’t free, refugees must pay back the cost of their flights and it’s not cheap! When refugees arrive, they contribute to our economy and community through working at restaurants, hotels, getting educations, and creating businesses. They bring culture to our community. People don’t think about that. These are our neighbors. It’s important to be connected to the refugee community and volunteer because they are our neighbors who contribute so much. I want to know them and be someone who makes them feel seen and appreciated in Wichita.