Celebrate this National Volunteer Week April 20 - 26 with the IRC by sharing our Volunteer Impact Story Series with the theme Unity, Infinity, & Continuity inspired by NJ Volunteer Tutor Menna Bakr's 3 pillars of service: "UNITY – unite with them. INFINITY – give them the infinite love that you have. CONTINUITY – the small things you do and say help them." The pillars of Menna’s service align with the foundation of volunteerism across the IRC: community members unite with clients, share their love, and show care through their service. Communities across the country partner with the IRC to welcome and empower refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of trafficking. In these turbulent times, collective support and dedicated service means more than ever. Continue to read for a day in the life of IRC New York youth volunteer tutor Molly Murch.

Another Saturday dawns. Coffee in hand and headphones in, Molly Murch rides the train into Times Square. Picking her way through the crowded sidewalks, she ducks into the IRC New York office and heads upstairs to the classroom. She greets her colleagues, prepares for the day, and then her first student walks in. She smiles.  

“I started last summer, sort of by accident,” Molly laughs. While searching for a job she came across a posting for IRC New York’s Newcomer Youth Summer Academy (NYSA). It was a short-term commitment of 6 weeks as a lead teacher. “I loved it so much,” Molly reflects. “By the end I had grown to know and love my students and my IRC colleagues, and it led to me wanting to continue by volunteering as a tutor throughout the schoolyear, which is what I do now!”  

At Molly’s weekly tutoring sessions, laughter, growth, and connection are abundant. “I love to see them come out of their shells, and to learn the things that help them form bonds with each other, regardless of whether or not they’re the same age or speak the same language.” She’s struck by their ability to form quick relationships. “When we grow up, how do we make friends and meet new people?” Molly questions. 

"These kids, despite having more obstacles like language barriers and cultural differences, have such an openness to meeting new people and becoming fast friends. It feels so different to our society."

While Molly’s students are connecting with each other, she builds her own relationships with her fellow volunteers and IRC staff. “It’s a big organization, but I’ve never felt like I’m a random person walking in, working, reporting to a superior, and done,” she says. “I always have someone to talk to and reach out to. The staff provide so much training and professional development, and I’ve found them to be very kind and supportive.” Molly feels lucky that she’s gotten to know the people with whom she works, and is grateful for the community and support she receives.  

“I’ve done some tutoring before the IRC – peer tutoring in college, math tutoring for some different companies, placements with school psychologists for social-emotional learning lessons. Working in education contexts with kids is always interesting,” Molly says, and her passion for this work shines in her eyes. “But nothing that I’ve enjoyed as much as tutoring for the IRC.” 

Molly’s journey as a volunteer has helped her in her own life too – from developing knowledge and skills to balancing the difficulties of daily life. 

"It sometimes feels like I’m not doing much. I’m one person, helping one student – compared to the amount of chaos and adversity in the world, it feels unbearable. But then I see the impact I’m making. I write my case notes after tutoring and find myself realizing just how much progress I’m seeing in my students. And I hope my kids know that every Saturday and Wednesday, Miss Molly is here for them – that they have people here who want to see them and who are happy to see them."

For anyone thinking about volunteering, Molly’s advice is simple: just start. “I didn’t think a 6-week summer program would keep me, and it did. Just start, and see where it leads you. There are so many different programs and position structures, so many different ways that people can get involved and balance their other commitments.” There’s no perfect way to prepare, no set of skills you need to have in advance. What matters most is consistency – being there, listening, showing up. That’s the foundation of progress. “You don’t always see the difference right away,” she says. “But then, months later, you realize – it was happening all along.”  

Showing up is all it takes. Last year, over 3,000 IRC volunteers showed up for refugees and immigrants, contributed over 235,000 hours to over 80,000 clients, and donated over $415,000 to help us provide lifechanging services. To our volunteer team across the country: thank you. We are infinitely grateful for your collaboration, courage, and compassion. 

To work in unity in New York and beyond with your refugee and immigrant community, visit Rescue.org/Careers and Rescue.org/Volunteer to search for volunteer and internship opportunities. Support New York's work by donating here.

Read more stories of Volunteer Impact across the United States

New Jersey volunteer inspires youth confidence one tutoring session at a time

San Diego volunteer establishes self-defense classes for women and girls

Family mentor volunteer in Spokane integrates newcomers with open arms