Apr

2

Volunteer Opportunity: Help Refugees Become Chicagoans

Filed Under Chicago Events, Family Events |

Refugee

The economic downturn has seen many American families relocate after losing their homes amid financial difficulties. Here in Chicago, however, there are those who have left their previous homes under much harsher circumstances - warfare or persecution.

While other forms of immigration to the U.S. have dropped off recently, refugees from Burma, Bhutan, Iraq, and various African nations continue to arrive in American cities like Chicago. Aside from limited government assistance, these refugees rely largely on local charities to help get them started in their new lives.

Here in Chicago, the Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries (IRIM) is one such not-for-profit that assists refugees in integrating with local communities and gaining self sufficiency. According to the IRIM, their organization picks up where the movie Hotel Rwanda leaves off, meeting immigrants at the airport and helping them with housing, employment, school, health care, and other needs.

The assistance IRIM provides is ambitious, but you can help out in smaller, more specific ways. Everything from providing tutoring, mentoring, or childcare to cosponsoring a family or providing employment is all in demand by IRIM’s volunteer services. You can volunteer on your own or as part of an office, club, or religious group.

Granted, times are tougher for Chicagoans today than they have been in past years. Still, for those who speak little English, have no savings, and lack a network of friends and family, life is an even greater a challenge. If you can assist in any small way, the gratitude you’ll earn for yourself and our city will no doubt be immense.

The IRIM will be holding their Fourth Annual Fundraiser on Friday May 8, 2009 at the Chicago Cultural Center. Save the date, and learn more at www.irim.org.


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Comments

  • kristikay
    Jennifer - thanks so much for posting this -we really appreciate it! One thing though is that IRIM does NOT have the facilities for collecting and disseminating loads of items. If anyone is wanting to do in-kind donations the best way is to contact Rick directly at rrybak@irim.org. They have to follow a protocol or else they get people emptying out their basements and become overwhelmed very fast.
    IRIM is a wonderful no-profit and is in need of help -so do check it out!-And come to the event on Friday May 8th! Thanks everyone!
  • David
    As someone who has recently moved to China, I can echo how important services like these are. Even though I support myself here comfortably, life can be difficult if not scary when you lack the language, experience, or connections to get you through even mundane challenges. I’ve always been very grateful for every act of kindness the Chinese have shown me, and I’m sure that’s doubly true for the refugees benefiting from the IRIM and other acts of American generosity.
  • I heard from a friend who volunteers for IRIM that a family just arrived from Somalia with nothing but literally the clothes on their backs. I have located a car seat and am now going through my kid’s closets pulling clothing to help outfit the family’s six month old son. They will need cookware, bedding, etc. Do you have anything you can contribute?
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