Our volunteers and interns are talented, enthusiastic, and vital to the success of our programs. Get to know a few of our current volunteers and interns!

Families find hope in the opportunities their children will have in the US

Each year, tens of thousands of refugees fleeing violence and persecution resettle in the United States, including the Bay Area. Resettlement means a fresh start and opportunity, especially for adolescent girls whose futures had been limited by a lack of access to education and opportunities and restrictive ideas about  women. Here. these girls have the chance to improve themselves, their families, and their communities. The Vision Project aims to empower refugee girls and change perceptions within their communities by providing girls with the skills and support they need to envision a positive future, and ultimately achieve their goals. The project runs three week-long workshops each year with resettled refugee girls, and each week culminates in a personal photoshoot for each girl where they embody their future selves. 

Fourteen newcomer students committed five weeks of their summer vacation to learn about food justice and give back to their community! Read all about the Youth Roots summer internship program.

Due to the lack of available, affordable housing, the IRC is working with the community to identify temporary housing alternatives for newly-arriving Afghan refugees and their families.

At the National Advocacy Days Refugee Council Conference, the IRC in NY’s very own Luis Mejia’s served as the New York’s Refugee Congress Delegate (RCD). Luis is the IRC in NY’s Workforce Development Specialist/Acting Interim Economic Empowerment Manager. He was thrilled to be voted for the RCD position. 

Every year, the IRC in Silver Spring hosts a refugee youth summer academy to continue students’ academic growth while school is out of session. This year, summer academy featured career days during which students explored their career goals and spoke with professionals.

New Roots is a food security program that focuses on giving our clients the opportunity to grow their own produce and also turn around and sell that produce if they so choose.

Each year, more than 700,000 people become American citizens. Here’s how the process works.