Volunteer Updates: December

IRCO Tax Assistance

Last year, volunteers helped return $100,000 in tax refunds to low-income families! Our second tax season begins January 2024 and volunteers are already working hard to certify as tax assistants. This year, we are excited to introduce more programming to support and welcome our volunteers. We now offer in-person and virtual training support, and we're looking forward to kicking this season off with a Volunteer Orientation Day filled with lots of good food, warm drinks, and good company. We are still looking for volunteers to help prepare taxes and make a difference in our community! Join this program to work one-on-one with individuals and families to help them access refunds and financial resources. Tax experience is not required. Tax Preparer and Intake Specialist roles are available. Contact volunteer@irco.org for more information. 

Youth Program Volunteer Opportunities

We are looking for more volunteers to support our IRCO Youth programs! Do you enjoy working with kids? Or do you know someone who is great at teaching students? Have a look and share with your community these open roles! IRCO's culturally and linguistically specific supports narrow opportunity gaps, improve reading and math, ease school transitions, and increase the number of youths graduating from high school and pursuing college or career opportunities. We are mostly looking for volunteers who can commit to volunteering weekly, in order to form a lasting relationship with the youth that we serve.

1. After-School Volunteer in Portland Public Schools
2. Highschool Math and Science Tutors
3. Middle and Highschool After-School Tutors
4. Chess Teacher and Coach
5. Vietnamese Immersion Program Assistant
6. In-School Food Pantry Support Volunteers
7. After-School Volunteer at David Douglas Highschool
8. Math and Science Tutor at David Douglas Highschool

If you might be interested in any of these Youth opportunities, you can see more details by clicking HERE. You can also reach out to volunteer@irco.org with any questions. We would love to have your support in these programs!

Portland Trail Blazers Foundation 5050 Raffle

The Trail Blazers Foundation 5050 Raffle offers fans the opportunity to win 50% of each home game’s jackpot while supporting their favorite local nonprofits. IRCO will be the featured nonprofit of the Portland Trailblazers vs. Philadelphia 76ers game on January 29th, 2024, and we need volunteer support to help sell raffle tickets! If you are interested in volunteering for this exciting event, apply here!

Slavic & Eastern European Celebration

On January 31st, we will celebrate our immigrant and refugee community along with the opportunity to raise funds for SEEC programs. Join us for cultural performances, community speakers, and a fundraising auction! The celebration will take place in conjunction with the City of Portland's Slavic Empowerment Team proclamation for Slavic and Eastern European Heritage Week. Tickets will be on sale in the coming weeks. As one of the largest refugee groups in Oregon, IRCO’s Slavic & Eastern European Center (SEEC) aims to celebrate, unite, and engage diverse Slavic and Eastern European communities to achieve its highest potential. A true reflection of the people it serves, SEEC is led by an advisory council of community leaders and staffed by a multicultural multilingual IRCO team. Your support will directly contribute to helping families start their new lives. For more information, please reach out to volunteer@irco.org.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

We are holding a donation drive in and around Portland for MLK Day of Service, collecting items for our New Beginnings Market. In the weeks prior to January 15th, we will have donation bins at our 4 culturally specific centers where we will collect an assortment of donations for IRCO. We have two ways you can get involved in this exciting service day.

1. DONATE: You can bring items for donation to our Africa House, Slavic & Eastern European Center, Greater Middle East Center, or our Pacific Islander & Asian Family Center. We are collecting brand new towels, laundry detergent, dishes and glasses, and jackets.
2. VOLUNTEER: On January 15th, we need groups of volunteers to come to New Beginnings Market to help sort, organize and take inventory of the donations received. Volunteers can work in 2-hour shifts or work the whole day. 

If you would like more information regarding our MLK Day of Service, please reach out to volunteer@irco.org.

Please Log your Monthly Service Hours!