While we in IRC in New Jersey continue to adjust to new COVID-19 developments, staff at the IRC in Elizabeth are continually adjusting programs and launching services to help IRC families. Check out a few highlights below and find out how to help! 

Casework

IRC caseworkers are hard at work helping clients navigate the many new executive orders around COVID-19 and the new public benefit protections and programs available in New Jersey. Coordinating housing, food access, and addressing essential needs is still on-going work.   

Economic Empowerment 

Virtual financial coaching continues to be a vital resource for IRC families. Employment Specialists are busy identifying clients who have lost work due to COVID-19, and connecting them with job opportunities as they become available. Job counseling continues to prepare clients once opportunities are more readily available. 

Education & Learning

With the close of NJ public schools, IRC launched remote instructional support to help with digital literacy, tutoring, and access to online resources. IRC is coordinating reliable internet access where necessary. Through a partnership with Drew University, IRC is connecting our high school-aged after school program participants with individual tutors. IRC’s goal is to connect each family or student with a personal remote tutor—if you are interested in volunteering, please let us know! 

Immigration

Consultations by phone continue to go on as naturalization, work permits and family reunification petitions are filed. Even with immigration courts closed due to quarantine, our immigration department is as busy as ever. 

Emergency Response

IRC has launched new partnerships, including collaborations with World Central Kitchen, to counter food insecurity for IRC families. IRC’s Emergency Fund is in action for housing assistance, acute medical needs, food access and clothing for clients in need.  IRC has also collaborated with longtime community partners Refugee Assistance Program, One World One Love, Westfield Fun Club, and Cornerstone Counseling to deliver food and emergency supplies to families most in need (loss of income/food stamps/etc.). 

How to help 

Interested in any of the above? Contact [email protected] for details!