Announcement
Cloth facemasks, sewn by volunteer Kri in 2020.
Photo: Kristin Y.
Last year, despite the pandemic, over 100 volunteers consistently shared their time and energy with the IRC in Seattle's program participants and staff. These volunteers help IRC's program participants leverage their incredible skills and thrive in this new place they now call home. As we wrap up World Refugee Day, we asked three of our volunteers - an attorney, a property marketing coordinator, and a creative fashion consultant - why they welcome refugees.
Meet Kri - A fourth generation Japanese American who grew up in South King County, she is a certified positive psychology coach, facilitator of healing work and embodied practice, and creative consultant in the fashion industry. Kri is a volunteer with our youth program, working one-on-one with a three elementary school students.
"During WWII my grandparents were among the many Japanese Americans who were discriminatorily forced out their homes and into incarceration camps. My grandmother was sent from Seattle to Puyallup Assembly Center to Minidoka. My grandfather was sent from Auburn to the Pinedale Assembly Center to Tule Lake to Minidoka. My commitment to supporting and protecting the human rights of refugee families, and all communities, is certainly inspired in part by my own family’s history and the call to be a voice against injustice that my ancestors never had.
"I first joined the IRC community as a long-term (weekly) administrative front desk volunteer. When the pandemic hit I contributed to the mask drive as a sewer and, since September, it has been an absolute pleasure to serve as a Virtual Academic Tutor partnering in learning with a family of three incredible elementary age girls. They inspire me endlessly!
"Seeing our tutoring program students light up with huge smiles of pride and joy when they experience feelings of accomplishment in reading and excitement in creating art together is something I continually cherish. I was led to the IRC by my deep appreciation and gratitude for the richness that all new neighbors bring to our community, and belief in safety, opportunity and dignity for all. I’m so honored to be a part of the IRC family and looking forward to many more years of volunteering ahead.”
Meet Betsy - A lawyer and a former journalist, Elizabeth has represented refugees, fleeing their home countries to seek political asylum in the United States. Her nonfiction book––No One Is Coming To Help Us: The Asylum Seeker and His Free Lawyer––sheds light on our country’s asylum system from the perspective of a pro bono attorney and her clients. However - how she got into some of her current pro bono legal work, was in-part due to a conversation with an IRC client! Currently, Betsy is a volunteer with our youth program, working on building academic skills and confidence with a brother and sister pair.
“I began volunteering with IRC more than a decade ago when I helped an IRC client enroll his kids in school, find housing and a job. That client, who knew I was a lawyer, suggested I assist asylum seekers as a volunteer attorney for Seattle’s Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. I took his advice and for ten years have been representing asylum seekers pro bono. I am also a journalist and have recently completed the draft of a book about my experiences navigating the U.S. asylum system. Since last year, I have been volunteering with IRC as a tutor for an Eritrean brother and sister one evening a week.”
Meet Nissreen - A property marketing coordinator, who finds joy and meaning helping newcomer youth learn English, build confidence, and transition into their new lives. She currently volunteers as a youth tutor, working one-on-one with with youth to help them meet their academic goals.
“My parents immigrated from Lebanon back in the late 80's/early 90's. Growing up, I have always felt torn as to what ethnicity I resided with. I had to codeswitch between cultures every time I was at home or at school/with friends. As I grew up, I realized how my parents sacrificed so much for me. They didn't know a single word of English and ultimately wanted me to have a better life. It's funny, because I chatted with my dad about all of this and he was telling me about when he was in college here, he had no idea what the professors were saying because he didn't speak very good English! He wished there were more resources for help during his time. I can only imagine what young students are going through with their English learning, and I'm sure it's not easy - that is why I joined as a volunteer. Volunteering with the IRC has shown me how much of a difference we can make in these students' lives by tutoring them in their homework. Anything to make their transition into American life as seamless as possible is something I strive to help with."
Thank you to all of the incredible volunteers and community supporters that strive to build a welcoming Washington. Thousands of volunteers share their time and expertise each year, with the belief that everyone deserves to live a safe, happy, healthy life without fear or persecution. Their compassion and kindness are sources of hope and optimism for all, and their stories are examples of how powerful community connections can be for newcomers and volunteers alike. Special thanks also to Annie, a volunteer and community member who contributes her talents to help with special projects (like crafting this thoughtful spotlight).
If you're interested in joining IRC as a volunteer or learning more about how you can stand with refugees here in the Seattle area, sign up to attend a virtual volunteer information session.