Throughout the eight months that IRC volunteer Ann has been working with the IRC she has done a myriad of things. In doing so, she has helped take clients to Social Security appointments and assisted with helping new families navigate the school system. During the holidays she was instrumental in coordinating the IRC’s Holiday Giving tree and helped with wrapping and delivering packages. Most recently, Ann has been volunteering at the IRC’s front desk and in doing so, she has also been learning about IRC’s immigration intake procedures in order to assist the immigration department.

Ann’s compassion and willingness to help our clients has not gone unnoticed by IRC’s staff who greatly appreciate the volunteer work that Ann does for the IRC. The staff of the IRC wanted to honor Ann for her great work and in doing, so have chosen to ask her a few questions about her volunteer work with the IRC.

Q: What has been surprising for you about volunteering with the IRC?

A: “the absolute courage and fortitude of these refugees who arrive in the US, are settled into Wichita, and face the daunting challenge of constructing a new life in an unknown and unfamiliar place. They must navigate a system totally different and unknown, depending on total strangers, such as staff at the IRC, to facilitate their entry and settlement into life here.  Often times they have zero to very little English capacity. They are so humbled and excited to have made it to the US because many of them have lived for years in refugee camps, oftentimes located in neighboring countries, as their own are unsafe. They are eager to work and make a lives for themselves and their children. They are hardworking and simply desire the opportunity to start their lives afresh, and for that they all deserve our respect, assistance and welcome.”

Q: Is there anything that stands out for you about volunteering?

A: “I love seeing the little children- they are adorable, and they are so well-behaved. I think it's because they've already had to deal with so many administrative appointments that their parents go through that a child the age of 5 is able to sit absolutely still, not making a peep while in a school office. The parents just want to ensure that their children are successful in school.”

Q: Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about your volunteering experience?

A: “People can contribute in number of ways- from volunteering time and energy to being a family friend or mentor, to bringing in items for household set-up. There’s truly something for everyone.

To find out more about volunteering with the IRC, please email [email protected]