Last summer I volunteered at International Rescue Committee (IRC) Phoenix office as a Resource Development intern. The IRC helps people fleeing racial, religious and ethnic persecution, as well as those uprooted by war and violence. IRC is among the worlds leading humanitarian agencies providing relief, rehabilitation, protection, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees, displaced persons and victims of oppression and violent conflict. IRC is working in 30 countries were they distribute lifesaving aid, rebuild pattered communities, establishes schools, trains teachers, care for war-traumatized children, rehabilitates health systems, restores lost livelihoods and strengthens the capacity of local organizations and institutions. Across the United States the IRC helps refugees’ who are admitted into the country build new lives and acquire the skills needed to become self-sufficient. Long after the September 11^th terrorist attacks, refugees around the world are still feeling the effects. For thousands of refugees languishing in camps another year of danger and despair has passed and their future remains in limbo. Many of whom had been approved for admission to the US prior to the attacks and still others who are waiting to rejoin family members already in the US after lengthy separations. The IRC’s advocacy effects are focused on working with the administration and the BCIS (formerly known as INS) to help and press them to meet their stated admissions goal.

     The IRC has many programs to help refugees adjust to their new country, volunteers are key to their success.  When teenage refugees arrive in the US they are overwhelmed by the new language, the foreign customs, and the American concept of what a teenager should be.  The challenge of making friends and adjusting to high school is often difficult for American teens, but refugee teens must face these problems, as well as the struggles of transitioning into life in a new country.  Teen Time is a program organized and run completely by volunteers, with American teenagers coming together to introduce refugee teens to their new culture.  Teen Time has proven to be a positive experience for refugees as well as volunteers.  Refugees enjoy making new friends, and as Baktash from Afghanistan said, “My favorite part about Teen Time is being with American teens.”   Volunteer Apryl Melancon feels that Teen Time is an ideal program to work with because “you get to know the people more personally,” than you would working in a different environment.  A conversational English class is another volunteer centered program.  The program is designed to help refugees, no matter what their native language is.  However, those who have most recently arrived in the U.S. will receive special attention.  Program coordinators Caryn Gach, Meg Hanna, and Abigail Fiattarone planned the program. Gach said, "We're really excited about this project. Three professional ESL teachers are collaborating to create a sustainable curriculum for this program, one that is custom made for the IRC."  Classes met twice every week for two hours at the IRC. T he first session each week was held in an informal classroom setting where participants discuss an upcoming field trip.  A facilitator lead the group in word games and other conversational exercises to reinforce the vocabulary and dialogue that would be used on the outing.  The other session is a group field trip, which enabled refugees to use English in "real life" situations.  For example, volunteers took refugees to a grocery store and conversed about products, prices, and values in English.   This entirely volunteer driven program is actively recruiting others to help.   Anyone and everyone can participate, with no special foreign language skills necessary.   In their countries of origin, many refugees have held distinguished occupations and positions. When they resettle in the U.S., however, it is often difficult for them to continue in their professions, and many will then turn to the IRC for help in attaining employment and job skills. VISA, which stands for Valley of the Sun Refugee and Immigrant Serving Agencies, is a program created with money appropriated from a grant received from IRC headquarters in New York City.  VISA is headed by a committee of representatives from the four Phoenix refugee resettlement agencies, Libraries for the Fu­ture, nonprofit and other community organizations.  The program was founded to encourage refugees to use their local library resources. A small amount of money was allotted within the grant to support another program to aid refugees.  The IRC wanted to use these limited funds to help refugees become more self-sufficient in their efforts to obtain employment.   Due to the limited funding, the IRC contacted SELF, Self Employment Loan Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides training and technical assistance for low- income individuals who would like to start a small business.   If refugees are over 18 years old, have their own transportation, and can understand English, the IRC and SELF has been able to provide them with classes that will teach them how to start their own business.  The refugees pay a small fee of $25, and with the money from VISA, the IRC pays the remaining $125 of their tuition.  During my internship there were 13 refugees and two counselors, Jenny Zimmerman and Jennifer Doran, attending the Wednesday evening "Business Plan Workshop."  Zimmerman and Doran help tutor students and explain difficult concepts.  The class meets for three hours each week for 14 weeks, at the IRC headquarters in Phoenix. Students learn about budgeting money, marketing, and pricing. Natasha, the instructor from SELF, emphasizes realistic business goals and practical steps for the implementation of a new business.  At the end of the workshop, students will have a business plan which will enable them to apply for loans. Refugees have no credit history or financial background when applying for business loans.  After completing the Business Plan Workshop they have the opportunity to apply for loans from either SELF or IRC in order to start a small business.

     As a resource developer intern I worked with the Resource Developer and Volunteer Coordinators, Betsy Parkes and Joanie Calder.  They are responsible for the Matching Grant program.  This program allows IRC to receive $2 for every $ 1 generated in donations, volunteer hours, and cash. Betsy, Joanie and I would speak with people about donating items and then distribute them to refugee families.  Additionally, we spoke with individuals, classes, and churches helping them get involved with IRC, as well as planning fundraising events and campaigns.  Resource development is an ongoing process and challenge, as newly arriving refugees can sometimes come to Phoenix with literally one or two bags between many family members of all ages.  It is up to IRC to help them become self-sufficient as soon as possible.  When Joanie Calder was asked how working at IRC inspired her, she said, “I think that the most inspiring thing has been seeing the transformation that takes place from newly arrived refugees to citizens of the United States.  Initially, many are just plain scared and of course, that fear manifests itself in many ways. But over time, with the help of our staff, the support of volunteers and the tremendous programs we have, it is so amazing to see confidence gained, jobs acquired, and English learned. I know how lucky I am to work in such an environment."   Refugees have made significant contributions to their new home country, including holding posts like Secretary of States, CEO of Coca Cola and CEO of Intel, as well as several Nobel Laureates.  Refugees are often persecuted, can face trials and tribulations, and frequently endure tremendous hardship, while the strengths they have used to overcome these sufferings are often overlooked and rarely celebrated.  However, following the tradition of Africa, which for many years has acknowledged these struggles and accomplishments, the United Nations General Assembly in the year 2000 declared June 20 to be “World Refugee Day”.  Children often suffer the most as refugees, and spotlighting them allows the world to recognize their problems, as well as their achievements in rebuilding their lives.  On an international level, the goal of last years World Refugee Day was to raise the spirits of refugees, especially youth, while reminding them of their abilities, courage, and the contribution they make to the communities they live in.  I participated in the World Refugee Day celebration held at Phoenix City Hall in 2003.  An exhibit depicting the plight and accomplishment of refugees was displayed several days before the June 20^th celebration. The goal was to raise city official’s awareness of the refugee issue.

   The IRC is an established organization that is committed to making a difference in peoples lives. The  refugees, staff and volunteers that I have worked with are amazing people. I have generated a network of donors through the university, friends, and businesses and  I will personally continue to offer my services to IRC.

 

Photo and information from IRC