Volunteer Opportunities in Dallas

Volunteering with the IRC in Dallas provides an enriching cross-cultural experience and allows you to learn more about the refugee experience first-hand.  The IRC in Dallas also offers internship opportunities throughout the year.  Individual and group volunteer opportunities are available.

Individual Volunteer Opportunities:

• Airport Pickup Support: Volunteers support our Resettlement Team as they meet the newly arriving Families at the DFW Airport and drive the family to their new home. Volunteers assist with picking up client families solo or with IRC staff. IRC Dallas receives about 2-6 families a week so we constantly need support here.
• Housing Security Volunteer: Assist IRC's Housing Team by shopping for and setting up apartments to ensure they are ready for arriving refugee families. Volunteers play a hands-on role in creating welcoming homes and supporting the resettlement process.
• Family Mentorship: The volunteer is partnered with a refugee family that does not have family in the area Once paired, the volunteer and client would schedule amongst themselves to determine and time and place that works for both people. The focus is on introducing the client to their new community.
• Refugee Youth School Enrollment Volunteer: Assist refugee families with the school enrollment process. Volunteers support appointments related to school placement assessments, school registration, and ensuring a smooth first day of school. This role is critical in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Richardson, but support could be used in the DFW area generally, helping refugee youth integrate into their communities
• Volunteer Tax Preparation: IRC offers free tax preparation services to low-income individuals and families, helping them navigate the tax filing process. Volunteers assist with preparing basic tax returns, ensuring eligible participants claim valuable credits. 
• DARI or FARSI Translation - Accompany Clients to Doctor Appointments: Volunteers will assist a a few minor clients in Fort Worth who recently got braces. The number of appointments they have is difficult for staff to attend and they need help with translation at these appointments. Volunteers could be in person or over the phone.

Group Volunteer Opportunities:

• New Roots Community Garden Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to help in the New Roots Garden areas on Saturdays. Projects include harvesting vegetables alongside the gardeners for the farmer’s market on Sunday, filling out invoices to track harvests, sorting produce, and helping with packaging.
• Apartment Makeover Volunteers: Volunteers help gather, deliver, and arrange furniture and household items for a donation to a refugee family. The IRC will match you with a family and provide your company with a list of items to collect before the event. On the day of the event, a group of volunteers will deliver the donations to the family and help set up the home. 
• Donation Drive: The IRC will provide a list of top requested items from clients that can be collected by the volunteers over a certain period. These items would be dropped off at our office for delivery to a family in need. (List of drive options available upon request). 
• Bundle Builders: IRC has storage units of misc. donated items to provide clients. We use volunteers’ help creating easy-to-grab bundles of these items. You will meet at our storage space and create toy bundles for a certain age group, hygiene bundles, and kitchen bundles, all from items we already have.
• Seasonal Events: Volunteers help provide support during a seasonal event. We have a huge holiday event around Christmas time, World Refugee Day in the summer, Donation Drives throughout the year, and more. 

The Volunteer Application Process:

1. Email [email protected] with your full name, areas of interest, and availability.
2. Our volunteer team will respond to your email with a link to sign up for a mandatory information session.
3. At the info session, you will receive instructions on how to complete the online application.
4. After your application is reviewed, you may be selected for a phone interview.
5. Successful interviewees will be required to pass a background check before a position is confirmed. 
6. If your background check and references are cleared, the volunteer team will work to schedule a volunteer orientation or training prior to your start day.

Volunteer positions are accepted on a rolling basis, and additional opportunities may be available.  Due to the high volume of applicants, applications may be stored until opportunities become available.  Volunteers and interns must be at least 18 years of age.  For additional questions, email [email protected].

Here are other ways to help:

1. Become an intern
2. Donate new or gently-used items
3. Support the IRC with a financial contribution
4. Join our GenR chapter
5. Spread the word
6. Explore additional opportunities

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