Volunteering with IRIS

University and high school students, as well as anyone seeking community service hours, can often earn internship or community service credit for volunteering at IRIS.

Refugee Education and Family Services (REFS)

VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED TO ASSIST REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT CHILDREN

The refugee and immigrant students in our program are highly motivated and come from diverse ethnic backgrounds. They need English language training, American acculturation assistance, and general mentoring and friendship.

Arts and Crafts / Storytelling / Early Childhood Development

with toddlers and preschool age children

Weekday mornings at the IRIS offices:
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Enable parents to attend English language literacy classes by spending time with their children.  Volunteers work alongside an early childhood educator to help refugee children prepare for school by reading stories, leading art projects, and helping develop refugee children's social and English language skills. 

Academic Assistance, Tutoring, and Mentoring

Kindergarten through 8th grade

Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:00-4:00 PM at East Rock School   

Assist at an after school program working with refugee and immigrant students at East Rock School twice a week. The focus is on homework help, English language literacy, U.S. social studies, mathematics, art, and sports. Tutors work with students, individually and in small groups.

9th – 12th Grade

Thursdays 2:30-4:00 p.m. at the IRIS offices or scheduled at a mutually convenient time

• Assist high school students with homework, school projects, and computer skills
• Mentoring Refugee Teens
• Flexible times and places

This is a rewarding opportunity for those interested in working with foreign-born youth, facilitating exciting extracurricular programs and creating a mentor relationship with promising teens.

English language tutoring for Adults

Weekday mornings at the IRIS offices:

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Support refugees’ efforts to learn English, working alongside a professional teacher from New Haven Adult Education.

English language literacy classes can also be scheduled at the adult's home, the New Haven Public Library, or the IRIS offices at other times.

Computer Training

Use the New Haven Public library computer room or computers at the IRIS office to assist adults as well as high school students.

Companionship/Cultural Orientation

Teach skills essential to life in the US and explain U.S. culture, customs, and laws.  Help refugees understand the public transportation system: routes, ticketing, schedules and transfers. Provide orientation in local shopping, price comparisons, and budgeting.  Take refugees to museums, parks, concerts, or sporting events.

Administration and Case Management

Case Management Support and Resettlement Assistance

Assist with appointments, transportation, household orientation, opening a bank account, obtaining a driver’s license, and explaining U.S. laws.  This is a great way to develop rewarding relationships and facilitate refugees’ self-sufficiency.

Interpretation and Translation

Speakers of numerous languages (including Spanish, French, Farsi, Dari, Pashto, Lingala, Krio, Ibo, Hausa, Vietnamese, and Russian) are needed to ensure refugees’ full understanding and participation in language classes and acculturation.  Document translation may be done remotely.

Immigration Clinic Support

Provide administrative assistance to clients applying for immigration services and benefits, including Adjustment of Status, Petition for Alien Relative, and Naturalization.

Health Care Assistance

Help refugees navigate the U.S. healthcare system.  Work closely with IRIS staff to accompany refugees to medical appointments, explain refugees' needs to doctors, fill prescriptions, and to develop healthy behaviors.  All levels of experience well. Discretion necessary.

Donations Support

Assist our Housing and Donations Specialist with creating a welcoming home for newly arrived refugees.  Assistance may range from collecting donations, helping move furniture and donations into refugee homes, and preparing the home before the refugee family's arrival.  Times vary according to refugee arrivals and donation availability. Donors should contact Emily Gallagher, Housing & Donations Coordinator, at: egallagher@irisct.org or call 203-562-2095 to make arrangements for drop off or pick up.

Food Bank Support

Supplement refugee's limited income by packing nutritious food bags (Tuesday afternoons) and/or distributing food bags (Wednesdays).  A great opportunity for social interaction with some of New Haven's most interesting families.

General Administrative Support

Assisting staff in program planning, grant writing, document filing, mailings, information and communication systems, and telephone assistance.  This is an excellent opportunity to develop office skills and learn about nonprofits. 

Research Support

Conduct research on issues related to refugee resettlement work in Connecticut, on an as-needed basis.  Influence policy and advocacy issues that have an impact on refugees and immigrants.

If you wish to volunteer, please download, print and fill out the Volunteer Application. (Free Adobe Acrobat Reader required.) You may also request an application by calling our office at 203-562-2095.

Please return your completed application to IRIS:
fax: 203-562-1798
mail: 235 Nicoll Street, New Haven, CT 06511

Attention: Bill Rufleth
e-mail: volunteer@irisct.org