Volunteer Updates: September

New volunteer positions have been posted on IRCO’s Volunteer Webpage! 

• New Beginnings Market - New Beginnings Market is a warehouse marketplace where refugees and other new arrivals can come to shop with dignity. New and gently used furniture, clothing, and household and personal care items are donated to us and we arrange and organize the store into an easy to navigate shopping experience. IRCO clients then shop for the items they need in their new homes - free of charge. You can help by joining us as a Sorting and Organizing Assistant.
• Food Pantry - The Hunger Relief program works with the Oregon Food bank and other organizations to help support people and communities facing food insecurity in Portland. We currently support 16 food pantries in the Portland Metro Area and reach approx. 600 people per week. You can help us by joining us as a Food Pantry Support Volunteer. 
• Youth Programs – School is back in session! IRCO’s youth programs, such as Racial Equity & Social Justice – Wrap Around Services (RESJ-WAS), the Promise Neighborhood Initiative (PNI) and Upward Bound programs are looking for tutor volunteers! Learn more about IRCO’s Upward Bound program below.

Positions in need of support:

Upward Bound: Math & Science Tutor

• Do you have experience tutoring and are skilled in math and science? IRCO’s Upward Bound is a college access youth program that serves first generation & low-income students with academic need who intend to enroll in post-secondary education directly out of high school. Eligible students receive services that include tutoring, academic advising, workshops, 6-week summer program, field trips, and support with the college/scholarship application process. Tutoring takes place Monday through Thursday from 2:30-4:15pm at David Douglas High School. Let us know if you’re interested in joining this program!

Refugee Resettlement and Placement:

• Would you like to help us welcome our newest arrivals to Portland? The Refugee Resettlement & Placement program helps welcome and orient newcomers to life in Portland and The United States. The R&P team assists refugees in finding long-term housing and gainful employment, and connects them to culturally specific services, opportunities, and community. The goal is for refugees to exit the program with the tools and knowledge to be self-sufficient in their new home. We are looking for flexible and dedicated volunteers to help us on an as-needed basis in the following positions:

1. Airport Welcome Transportation
2. Appointment Transportation
3. New Home Set-up
4. Grocery Delivery and Fridge Stocking
5. Cleaning and Organization Volunteer

The Volunteer Program Team is growing and looking to hire TWO new Volunteer Associates! Do you enjoy cultivating community and have experience working with refugee communities and volunteers? This could be a great role for you. We are hiring an Associate with a focus on the Tax Program, and another with focus in Youth programs. If you are interested in joining our team as an employee at IRCO, reach out to volunteer@irco.org

The Standard Volunteer Expo

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth at the Standard Volunteer Expo event on 9/7/2023! Our team enjoyed sharing information about IRCO and how to get involved and meeting interested folks and local organizations.

Health Fair

The Annual Health Fair intends to share health and wellbeing information with the communities and to promote community outreach activities of IRCO and other like-minded organizations. Attendees will learn about the IRCO services, access nonprofit resources, blood pressure checks, vision checks, dental appointments, and more. This is an effort to bring together resources to ease the burden on our Portland community.

You can take part! We need volunteers from the community to support the event and make it a success. Setup shifts will begin the day before, and will involve moving chairs, tables, and food bank supplies, and during the fair the next day volunteers will check in guests, monitor giveaway tables, and assist with cleanup.

Sign up to help support today!

Please Log your Monthly Service Hours!