Opportunities From: Spark

Background:

The Family Stabilization Program (FSP) is comprised of mental health professionals who provide personalized, holistic, one-on-one support services for clients experiencing safety and stability issues in multiple areas of their lives. We empower clients with the skills needed to navigate systems, overcome barriers, and manage the difficult moments in their lives.

Scope of Work:

 

The FSP volunteer will have the opportunity to work with our most vulnerable refugees from diverse backgrounds and will learn to use trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches to support clients in resource navigation and transportation efforts. Volunteers can expect to work with 1-2 families at a time depending on availability and number of hours.

Volunteer Benefits:

1. Volunteer will gain a working knowledge of how resettlement programs at the IRC support clients to achieve mental and physical wellbeing.

2. Volunteer will gain a working knowledge of how to practice trauma informed care and de-escalation techniques.

3. Volunteer will gain work experience in a professional setting.

Responsibilities:

Provide transportation to and from appointments when necessary Communicate regularly with the client’s Family Stabilization Specialist to coordinate client needs Provide coaching on systems clients often navigate (ie. Doctor appointments, medical insurance and bills, Transportation systems- riding public transportation, requirements for Driver’s License, how to resolve traffic violations, and legal systems as needed)

Additional Requirements:

Other skills: Patient, organized, independent, and uses creative problem solving Ability to remain calm and utilize de-escalation techniques while navigating difficult situations Social work or counseling background Experience working with diverse populations Comfort driving clients and their families including small children

Email ircdenver.volunteer@rescue.org to apply for this opportunity. 

Once we know a family or individual will be served by our office we work to secure their housing and ensure that their home is set up and ready to welcome them upon their arrival. We rely on volunteers and various community groups to help with housing set-ups.    Volunteers will help set up a home for a newly-arriving refugee family or individual. Volunteers will be added to an on-call list and receive 1-3 emails per week. Volunteers respond to the opportunities that work best for their schedule.

Location: Varies throughout the Denver/Aurora-metro area. 

Time Commitment: 

On-call/as needed. (volunteers choose only the opportunities that fit with their schedules) Housing set-ups typically take place Monday-Friday during normal business hours.  Due to the nature of the housing market and short notice we receive before families arrive, it is often difficult to schedule housing set-ups more than a few days in advance.  Last-minute emails requesting volunteers is the norm. A typical housing set-up takes approximately 2-4 hours.

Duties:

Moving furniture, and other household items into an apartment or house Putting together furniture (IKEA bed frames, for example) Washing and putting dishes away Setting up other household items so they are ready to go upon client arrival

This position can be done as a one-day volunteer opportunity and does not require individuals to go through our full onboarding list. E-mail IRCDenver.Volunteer@Rescue.org to get involved. 

Support one-on-one as a mentor and help ease a refugee family or individual’s transition into their new community. Mentors will focus on a refugee’s English acquisition, socialization of American culture, and integration into the local community. Based on each client’s needs and relationship, mentors and mentees can cook together, schedule follow-up medical appointments, visit local attractions, parks, farmer’s markets, the library and museums. Mentors may also support in opening bank accounts, learning where to pay bills, navigating transportation, and more. Mentors and mentees will establish boundaries and expectations in an initial meeting with an IRC staff member and interpreter in order to better understand needs.

Location: Off-site in the Denver Metro, Aurora, or Northglenn area (exact location disclosed to volunteer).  

Time Commitment:  This position connects you to one family or individual client for six-months. We request 2-4 hours per week, depending on client’s needs.   

Skills & Qualifications: 

The Mentor must have a strong desire to work with diverse populations and demonstrate patience with English language learners. They may need access to a vehicle. Mentors should be willing to help teach clients to utilize public transportation, access different community resources and facilitate other activities geared towards achieving self-sufficiency. If you have a language skill and/or community connection of a different client population, please reach out. We encourage those who speak Dari, Farsi, or Pashto or come from the Afghan community to support at this time.   

Please note that volunteers must undergo a background check for which we ask a donation of $49.  All staff and volunteers at the IRC must be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and agree to wear a mask when interacting with clients. 

The first step to becoming an IRC Volunteer is to attend a Virtual Information Presentation.  Sign up here to attend one of our sessions:  https://signup.com/go/abGtOjx