BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading non-sectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. The Suburban Washington Refugee Center, where the IRC’s Silver Spring resettlement office is located, has resettled more than 2,000 new refugee arrivals, providing them a fresh start and opportunities to use their greatest resources—their motivation, their skills and their experiences—to become independent and self-sufficient new Americans. Currently, the IRC Silver Spring resettles and/or provides assistance to over 700 refugees and asylees each year. 

SCOPE OF WORK: The reception & placement team aids refugees and SIV clients in their resettlement to the U.S. Before refugee clients arrive at the airport, the housing team works to prepare housing and furnishing, and arranges arrival logistics. After arrival, the casework team provides several services to orient clients to life in the US, link each client to public benefits and medical providers, and refer clients to additional internal and external providers as needed. The team also conducts cultural orientation with clients to introduce them to US customs and systems. This position entails frequent contact with clients by phone, email, and face-to-face to provide resources and support. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Assist clients with provision of core housing services

Assist with housing team inventory purchase, organization and management

Assist with donation tracking and management

Assist with managing clients' case arrival, securing and preparing/furnishing housing for client move-in

Assist with managing clients’ cases and providing orientation to IRC services. 

Assist clients with completing applications for public benefits, Medicaid, Social Security cards, State IDs, childcare vouchers, etc.  

Conduct public transportation orientation with clients. 

Assist clients with scheduling and navigating appointments at various public benefit offices and health clinics. 

Refer clients to external services including but not limited to ESL classes, school enrollment, and housing assistance programs. 

Assist with maintaining, organizing, and entering electronic client data and updating case notes. 

Other related duties as assigned

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

Intern will gain US field-office experience interacting with and assisting refugee clients 

Intern will acquire detailed knowledge of casework and the programs and public benefits available for refugees and asylees during their resettlement period 

Intern will learn reporting requirements for resettlement agencies and how to capture data to improve services 

Intern will learn how housing is secured and prepared for newly arriving refugees