News from San Diego, CA

We're moving through extraordinary times here at the IRC in San Diego. View our full FY21 Impact Report!

Conflict, climate change, and COVID-19 have all contributed to the rapidly growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Learn what you can do to help Afghans in need.

Join IRC Youth Programs for fun & safe field trips! Support our middle school youth while we explore San Diego.

Airport pick up volunteers will communicate with IRC staff about pick up and drop off logistics to receive families as they arrive at the San Diego International Airport. Volunteers must have access to a car and be willing to transport IRC clients and their luggage with it. Volunteers should also be culturally sensitive and respectful of diverse backgrounds, self-motivated and comfortable working with little supervision, and able to handle sensitive client information confidentially. Most importantly, volunteers should be welcoming and eager to help newly-arrived refugees settle into the San Diego community.

With guidance from the IRC staff, help us explore affordable housing opportunities for arriving refugees and forge relationships with property owners and managers.

Are you interested in making an impact in your community? Would you like to support your new American neighbors? Email us to find out how to organize and implement a community donation drive to assist vulnerable families in San Diego.

In-kind donations help provide a warm and welcoming home to refugees upon their arrival in the U.S. Keep reading to learn about about the different items we accept to meet the material needs of newly arrived refugees.

The IRC operates a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to provide FREE tax preparation services to individuals and families with incomes below the national average who would like to get the most out of their tax return.  Last tax season, the IRC in San Diego’s VITA Volunteers completed more than 2,200 returns and helped our community receive more than $3.5 million in refunds. As a tax preparation volunteer, you will provide important support to individuals and families with incomes below the national average by guiding them through the tax preparation process and connecting them with other IRC resources when appropriate. You will work one-on-one with clients supporting them in navigating the ins and outs of tax preparation.

Volunteers will work to provide administrative support to the Immigration Department. (In-person requirement.)

Responsibilities: Sorting department mail; update case files and department database; create case files and filing; schedule clients for immigration legal service appointments; other related duties as assigned.

Each year, A Taste of the IRC is an opportunity for our community to come together to learn more about the life-saving importance of the refugee resettlement program. For the first time, our California offices—in Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, and Turlock—are hosting a joint fundraiser to highlight our work across the state of California!