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Volunteer
Richmond, VA

Volunteer opportunities

Thank you for your interest in welcoming refugees to your community. By volunteering with the IRC in Richmond, VA, you use your skills to help people who have fled violence and persecution to rebuild their lives in America. See below for the latest volunteer opportunities and how to apply.

Current opportunities

Richmond, VA

Refugee Welcomer

Start date: Ongoing

Create a welcoming first home and provide a warm greeting for newly arriving refugees in Richmond!
Richmond, VA

Weekend Friend / Neighborhood Guide

Start date: Ongoing

Show our newest neighbors all that Richmond has to offer!
Richmond, VA

Volunteer Driver

Start date: Ongoing

Newly arrived refugees have many appointments connected to their resettlement and healthcare.
Richmond, VA

Healthcare Mentor

Start date: Ongoing

Help newly arrived refugee families to meet their health needs as they start their new lives in the U.S.
Richmond, VA

Individual / Family Mentor

Start date: Ongoing

Help our newest neighbors learn skills that encourage self-sufficiency in all areas..
Richmond, VA

Resettlement Shop Volunteer

Start date: Ongoing

Be a personal shopper!
Richmond, VA

Housing Volunteer

Start date: Ongoing

Help the IRC in Richmond find safe, affordable housing for refugees arriving to our city.

Volunteer process

  1. Familiarize yourself with the IRC and review our current available volunteer positions. Choose 3 that best fit your interests, skills, and schedule.

  2. Complete a volunteer application by following this link. Once your application has been received, you will be contacted within 10 business days regarding upcoming Volunteer Orientation dates.

  3. After you have attended a Volunteer Orientation and your application has been reviewed, you may be selected for a brief phone interview to discuss potential placement options.

  4. 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 $35 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.

  5. Once cleared, you're ready to get started! Depending on your role, you'll either receive further training from your in-office department or will be invited to attend a tutor training before being matched with a family to tutor and/or mentor.

Additional things to note

*You must be 18 years or older to volunteer and complete a background check. For High School Opportunities, please email [email protected].

Most positions require at least a 3 month volunteer commitment with up to 5 hours per week. If this is not feasible for you, please email us about our on-call opportunities.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.