Raffi Gostanian came to the United States from Syria 15 years ago on a student visa. A jazz musician who plays the saxophone and piano, he intended to study music but graduated with a political science degree from William Paterson University. As a front desk volunteer at IRC for the last 10 months, Raffi has diligently trekked twice a week from Paterson, home to a large Arab community, to IRC’s office in Elizabeth. He has helped hundreds of refugees in the day to day tasks required as they rebuild their lives in New Jersey – translating mail, making doctor appointments, understanding NJ transit bus schedules and finding childcare. When asked what he enjoys most about volunteering at IRC, he says, without hesitation, “The feeling of being useful.” He continues, explaining why he decided to join IRC as a volunteer after a friend in IRC’s New York office told him about their experience interning in New York City. “I wanted to be part of the Syrian revolution, but I couldn’t participate for fear my family would be harmed. This was my way of helping.” His family fled Syria and is now in Lebanon. Raffi has been working with a church in Canada, in hopes that his family can be resettled there.

Raffi’s Arabic skills and dedication have proved invaluable in an office that has welcomed nearly 1,500 refugees to New Jersey in the past 5 years, 660 of whom are Arabic speakers from countries like Syria, Iraq, and Sudan.

Volunteer, who moved here from Syria years ago, working at the front desk
“I am Syrian myself and have been in the US for 15 years. I wanted to participate in the Syrian revolution, but couldn’t for fear my family would be harmed. Volunteering with the IRC has been my way of helping Syrians and other refugees resettling in New Jersey.” Raffi Gostanian
Photo: IRC

To learn more about current volunteer opportunities with the IRC in New Jersey, click here.