Location: primarily off-site in Baltimore city or county. Exact location disclosed to volunteers. During COVID-19, the number of volunteers will be limited at each apartment set up.
Time Commitment: this volunteer position is an on-call opportunity. Housing set-ups are typically completed over a few hours between approximately 10am and 6pm, Monday to Wednesday.
Responsibilities: the volunteer will assist the logistics specialist to prepare and furnish apartments for new refugee families. This could include traveling with the specialist to pick up and drop off furniture, supplies, and food to the new home. It could also include setting up inside the apartment to unpack, assemble and arrange items to create a welcoming home.
Skills & Qualifications: volunteers must be able and willing to lift and carry up to 75 pounds; must be culturally sensitive and respectful of diverse backgrounds; able to collaborate with others and work well as part of a team; able to work independently in a fast-paced environment; able to handle client information confidentially.
How to Apply: please complete this short VolunteerBaltimore [at] Rescue.org (subject: Interested%20in%20housing%20set-up%20volunteer%20opportunity, body: *Please%20include%20the%20following%20information%3A%20%0A%0A1.%20Your%20name%3A%20%0A%0A2.%20How%20did%20you%20hear%20about%20the%20IRC%3F%0A%0A3.%20Which%20info%20session%20are%20you%20able%20to%20attend%3F%20(Upcoming%20info%20session%20dates%20are%20listed%20here%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rescue.org%2Fvolunteer-opportunities%2Fbaltimore-md)%0A%0A4.%20Why%20are%20you%20interested%20in%20becoming%20a%20housing%20set-up%20volunteer%3F) (email form) to let us know you're interested and RSVP to the next volunteer orientation session. Upcoming info session dates are listed here.
More opportunities in Baltimore, MD
Youth Success Coach Volunteer (Remote for Spring, Summer, Fall cohorts)
Youth success coaches are matched with 1-2 refugee youth (ages 10-24) to provide support to meet their goals. Success coaches and mentees meet weekly for 10 weeks.
Family Mentor Volunteer (summer start)
Family mentors work with a refugee family or individual for six months to ease their transition to Baltimore and the U.S.
Welcome Home Project Volunteer
The Welcome Home Project offers individuals or groups an opportunity to prepare an apartment and help to welcome an individual or family to their new home in Baltimore. We are especially in need of groups who can commit to multiple set-ups per year.
Internships (Fall, Spring, Summer, Academic Year)
Internships are a great way to gain applied experience in humanitarian work. Every intern works under the supervision of an IRC staff member and helps fulfill our mission to welcome and support humanitarian immigrant clients in Baltimore.