News from Missoula, MT

This is a time for fresh starts, starting over and new beginnings. We here at the IRC in Missoula have been fortunate to be with so many families while they experience new beginnings and so many "firsts."

The primary activity of the Housing and Logistics Intern is to assist the Housing and Logistics Caseworker in their duties. These duties are outlined in the Essential Functions section below and include the coordination of housing for newly arriving refugee clients. This position will also assist in managing donations for essential items needed for home set-ups. Position reports to: Housing and Logistics Caseworker, Heather Molloy.

This position will explore ways to present important information to refugee clients using short recorded videos. As a video producer, you will be responsible relating information about the Missoula community to English Language Learners, therefore you will learn about complicated social services and community programs and present them in a simple and straightforward way. You will also be working with interpreters to relay these messages in our client’s native languages which include Arabic, Swahili, and Tigrinya. This is a special project with a duration of one semester (approx. January – May). The end products will be agreed upon after the successful candidate is confirmed. Work hours and deliverables will be flexible with the expectation that the IRC and intern will meet weekly to discuss progress.

As a communications intern you will be responsible for assisting in the community outreach and communication strategy for the International Rescue Committee in Missoula. You can expect to work on projects as varied as fundraising campaigns to advocacy drives, anywhere that specific messaging is needed. As such, you will be expected to learn about the IRC (history, scope of work, values, ect.), our clients, and trends in refugee resettlement in order to communicate to a variety of audiences in a manner consistant with our messaging. All communication activities will be done in coordination with office staff and under the supervision of the resettlement director.

This position coordinates the youth (ages 16-24) employment program. In partnership with Missoula County Public Schools English Language Learner (ELL) Program, interns will teach job readiness training classes to high school aged refugees with the goal of securing summer or after school employment. Interns will work one-on-one and in groups with refugee youth to teach and assist with job search, resume development, job applications, interviews and other relevant aspects of US work culture. Interns will also have the opportunity to further develop the curriculum and implementation of the job readiness training program. Intern is also responsible for establishing and maintaining employer partnerships through outreach, cultural competency training, site visits, and more. By building a diverse pool of employers, this position will provide opportunities for refugee youth to engage in a variety of US employment settings building skills for their future careers.

This position works to promote the financial literacy of refugee clients in Missoula. By empowering refugees to engage in healthy financial decision making through education and one-on-one mentoring, this position supports the mission of IRC to help refugees move towards rapid self-sufficiency. As an IRC intern, the successful candidate will work with staff in every department, coordination closely with several of our community partners, and have access to resources that span over 20 IRC offices across the U.S.

The International Rescue Committee, Missoula's refugee resettlement agency, is holding a fundraiser to support refugees directly this holiday season.

Guide to create and donate Welcome Kits to IRC Missoula.

The International Rescue Committee in Missoula celebrated it's second anniversary of refugee resettlement in Missoula this summer! In the last two years we've accomplished a lot and are excited for what's to come even with uncertainty in refugee resettlement nationwide. We're proud to be bringing Missoula's newest residents to the city and want to thank all of our partners and the community for being so welcoming!

On Monday, October 22nd Montgomery Distillery will be hosting a Moscow Monday to benefit the International Rescue Committee in Missoula. All day, one dollar from every cocktail sold will be donated to the IRC Missoula. Come on down to Montgomery Distillery to enjoy some of the finest cocktails in Missoula and support refugee resettlement! Montgomery Distillery 129 W Front St, Missoula, Montana 59802