About the role 

Children and youth volunteers enjoy interacting with newly arrived children in a variety of settings. IRC direct services are often supported by volunteers who tend children at the IRC office while parents are meeting with IRC staff, help with school enrollment, or support youth program activities. Opportunities to volunteer with children and youth can be on predictable schedules or "on-call", depending on the department. Volunteers may have the option to drive clients in their personal vehicle. Examples of opportunities are:

  • Mental health groups: child watch - biweekly, includes client transportation in personal vehicle. Volunteers facilitate transportation and on-site care for kids while moms meet together in a group therapy setting with IRC's mental health clinicians. 
  • Resettlement: child watch - during the 30-days after arrival, adults attend cultural orientation, language, and job readiness classes. Volunteers tend children in a nearby room allowing parents to get the most out of their class. 

Time commitment

Volunteers should plan on giving a minimum commitment of 6 months and we ask that volunteers commit to at least one shift per month, with options for more. Volunteers can select which days of the monthly schedule work for them. The community engagement coordinator notifies volunteers of available shifts a couple of weeks in advance.

  • Monday evenings, 5:30-7:30 pm: Mental Health groups: child watch - biweekly 
  • Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30-12:00: Resettlement child watch 

Skills & qualifications

Must follow IRC standards and safety guidelines as outlined during volunteer orientation. Experience with children and creativity in a multilingual setting is required. All IRC volunteers must pass a background check; additional safeguarding is required for children and youth volunteers which may include a driving record background check (if needed) and further trainings before interacting with youth.  

How to apply

All prospective volunteers must complete each step outlined on the Volunteer Opportunities page under Volunteer process.