IRC Welcome Center- Help Asylum-Seeking Families

IRC Phoenix is looking for volunteers that would like to assist asylum-seeking families at the IRC Welcome Center, a dynamic, 24/7 emergency support center providing resources to newly arrived asylum seekers and their children. Sign up for orientation here to start the onboarding process. 

There are several teams of volunteers at the IRC Welcome Center. Volunteers can choose what areas they would like to help with. Some roles require additional documentation and/or language fluency. Volunteer teams include:

Kitchen

  • Serve clients hot food, organize and clean kitchen areas, pick up and drop off meals from community partners

Intake

  • Collect client information, provide legal resources, and explain next steps

Travel

  • Answer client travel questions, escort clients to bus station or airport, and assist in coordinating travel on site

Clothing

  • Assist clients with a change of clothes and manage clothing room 
  • Sort and re-donate clothing donations

Hygiene 

  • Manage client shower area 
  • Remote laundry washing

Medical Support (HIPAA certification Required)

  • Assist medical partner with covid testing, medical check-ins, and clinic operations

Children’s Programming (Fingerprint Clearance Card Required)

  • Provided trauma-informed children's activities and manage playroom 

Qualifications:

  • Must be 18 years or older. Volunteers ages 12-17 are only permitted to volunteer at the center for a Day of Service project scheduled with the ASF Volunteer Specialist.
  • Flexibility with time
  • Reliable transportation
  • 2-4 hours shifts available 24/7 
  • Weekly volunteering is helpful and encouraged!
  • Prefer Spanish fluency, but not required
  • All applicants will need to attend orientation and complete a background check

Next Steps:

  • Sign up for Welcome Center Orientation here. Orientations are located in the downtown Phoenix area, they are not at the Glendale office. Please wait for the address to be provided after sign up. 
  • You do not need to complete an application or interview for Asylum-Seeker Volunteer. 
  • Complete $20 flat-fee background check
  • Provide additional documents for specific volunteer teams if needed.
  • Receive on-site training and be in contact with IRC Welcome Center staff
  • Start Volunteering! 

Community Groups or Volunteer Organizations:

  • If you are a community group or volunteer organization looking to schedule a volunteer day of service project or become involved with the IRC Welcome Center, please sign up for orientation here.

Donation Needs:

  • Donate directly to Asylum-Seeking Families here.
  • IRC Welcome Center Amazon Wishlist here.
  • Contact [email protected] for donation drives, updated donation needs, and donation drop-offs. 

If you have additional questions, please email [email protected].