Current opportunities
2020 Refugee Youth Summer Academy (RYSA) Volunteer
In August 2020, the IRC in New Jersey will host a three-week summer program focusing on English as a Second Language (ESL) enrichment for refugee youth living in Elizabeth and Roselle, New Jersey. The Refugee Youth Summer Academy (RYSA) will serve up to 90 students ages 5 – 20, in six classes, from at least 10 countries. Students will engage in ESL, creative arts, sports, field trips, and other activities. RYSA volunteers will work closely with the ESL Lead Teachers, clinical psychology doctoral students to reinforce English language learning and school preparation with refugee youth in a positive and healing classroom environment.
Cultural Orientation Volunteer
The IRC in New Jersey seeks volunteers to teach Cultural Orientation classes, where newly arrived refugees learn about the basics of life in the U.S. Wide-ranging topics such as emergency services, transportation, and school are covered so that refugees can begin to thrive in their new environment. Volunteers will also help newly arrived refugees explore their neighborhoods and provide follow-up support for individuals needing additional one-on-one assistance.
IRC NJ Adult Education Intern
The Adult Education Intern assists newly arrived refugee clients in a multi-level and culturally diverse English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL) classroom to gain English literacy and comprehension skills. This intern will also assist in supporting logistics for cultural orientation classes, where newly arrived refugee clients gain an understanding of community resources and expectations for the resettlement period.
Volunteer Adult ESL Tutor
The IRC in New Jersey seeks volunteer tutors to support English language learning among recently arrived adult refugees who have fled persecution in their home country and are rebuilding their lives in New Jersey. IRC will pair tutors with students based on mutual availability. Tutors may support students during ESL classes or during individual or small group sessions. Tutors should be available to volunteer at least 3 hours per week. Strong preference will be given to volunteers who can tutor for a period of six months.
Refugee Employment Intern
This intern will work closely with our employment specialist to help newly arrived refugees, asylees, and Cuban/Haitian entrants find and retain employment.
Refugee Resettlement Intern
The new arrival casework Intern will assist case management staff in providing reception and placement services to newly arrived refugees as they adjust to their new lives in the US.
Refugee Empowerment Casework Intern
The intern will work with refugees and other humanitarian entrants up to five years after they have arrived in the United States.
Intensive Case Management Intern
The intern assists staff in providing intensive case management services to newly arrived refugees with medical/mental health needs, and helps refugee families access health care.
Volunteer Adult ESL Instructor
The IRC in New Jersey seeks volunteer teachers to support English language learning among recently arrived adult refugees who have fled persecution in their home country and are rebuilding their lives in New Jersey. IRC holds ESL classes twice a week during weekday mornings and afternoons. The volunteer must commit to teaching their assigned class for the entire 8-9 week cycle. Strong preference will be given to volunteers who can teach for a period of six months
Volunteer Interpreters
Volunteer interpreters will provide interpretation and translation on an on-call basis for clients and staff. Volunteer Interpreters needed (Arabic, French, Haitian Creole, Kiswahili, Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Tigrinya and Other Languages).
Citizenship and Immigration Intern
The Immigration Program provides fee-based services to refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants and other immigrants in New Jersey. The intern will work closely with IRC staff to provide legal services to clients seeking assistance with various forms of immigration.
Volunteer process
Review our current available volunteer positions and choose 3 that best fit your interests, skills, and schedule.
Complete a volunteer application by following this link. You will be contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator as needs arise for your chosen position.
After your application is reviewed, you may be selected for an interview.
Once the interview is confirmed and conducted, successful interviewees will complete the necessary background checks. To protect our clients, we require background checks for all our volunteers, and we ask volunteers to make a $49 donation to cover associated costs. Currently, 92% of our funding goes directly to our clients, and your help to cover this cost allows us to continue providing the best service possible. This step can add 1-2 weeks to the process, but is typically very fast.
Once cleared, you will attend a general orientation before training and scheduling the first day.