IRC: The Best Humanitarian Organization to Support With Your Time and Money

Over the past four years, I’ve had the privilege of volunteering for a wonderful refugee resettlement organization called the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The IRC provides humanitarian assistance and critical resources to refugees in crisis. Here in Baltimore, MD, I lead a group of 5 other women in a branch of the IRC called the Welcome Home Project. We help refugees and asylum seekers settle in our community by providing for their basic housing needs.

Sometimes, the problems in the world feel too big. Working with IRC is one of the best ways I’ve found to feel like I’m part of the solution. There’s nothing cooler than using my passion for designing with pre-loved items to provide essential support and really make a difference.

I have so much respect and compassion for these families who are forced to flee their home countries to seek a better future in a new country. I know that sometimes these issues can become political, but helping others shouldn’t be. From my experience working with IRC, I can assure you there’s nothing political about it. They provide vital support to families who are seeking to put down roots in safe, new communities. It’s truly one of the best refugee charity around.

What Does the International Rescue Committee Do?

Before I share more about the specific project I’ve just completed with IRC, here is some more information about how they’re improving the lives of refugees around the world. 

• They provide low-cost legal assistance to individuals seeking citizenship in the United States.
• They provide employment support for people needing job training and career development resources. 
• They provide clean water, nutrition, mental health, and health care services to refugees.
• They also provide resettlement assistance to families coming to the United States.

This is just a small piece of a huge list of comprehensive support services the International Rescue Committee provides. If you’d like to learn more, I encourage you to check out their website. Click here to see how Charity Navigator regarded them as one of the best refugee charity organizations. 

The Welcome Home Project

You must assume that if there’s a way to combine community service with interior design and DIY, I will find it! 

In my capacity as a volunteer with the International Rescue Committee’s Welcome Home Project, I led a team of 5 other amazing women in our community in putting together an apartment for a refugee family who just relocated to the United States from their country of origin. For this project, we created a lovely new home for a family of three from the Middle East.

My team and I spend the better part of a year collecting the items these families will need to meet their basic needs, as well as comfortable furniture and accessories to make them feel at home. 

As the mother of two young kids, I’m heartbroken at the idea of these young refugee children having to leave their home country. It’s such a pleasure to create a happy new environment where they can imagine a better future together.

We go out of our way to provide fun little extras that make each apartment feel special. Check out the copy of Cinderella written in Arabic, gifted by a friend who immigrated to the US as a refugee herself!

I hope their 5-year-old daughter loves this bike!

We collect both monetary donations and gently used items from donors and nonprofit organizations to create a safe place for these families to land. The bathroom, linen closets and pantry are completely stocked, so they don’t have to worry about anything while they settle in.

We also provide all the kitchen essentials they’ll need to feed their family with a fully-stocked kitchen, and food for at least a week. We also provide them with a home-cooked meal so that they have that when they arrive after traveling all day. Our group just-so-happens to have an incredible cook, who creates traditional meals from their country of origin.

The IRC has specific requirements for what each apartment should contain. This makes sure each family has exactly what they need. For example, they require that there is one pillow per person, per bed, but I think pillows and oversized bedding are things that make a room look and feel luxurious, so we don’t just do the minimum requirements in our group. We want our families to feel like they’re entering a beautiful home when they arrive.

Thrifting for a Cause

Thrifting is one of my favorite activities, so I’m always on the hunt throughout the year for items that will make a home feel special. Pillowcases and duvet covers, euro shams, embroidered napkins, table runners, and crystal are simple and inexpensive items that elevate any home.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for a cause like the Welcome Home Project, I highly recommend checking your local thrift stores. The good stuff is there if you’re patient. Recently I found pillowcases from both Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn!

Here’s How You Can Help

The International Rescue Committee is doing incredible work here in Baltimore, and I’m really proud to be a part of it. If you’re interested in getting involved by donating supplies or money to one of our families, I encourage you to visit their website and contact them directly.

Sign up here to organize your own group and put together a “Welcome Home Project” for a family in need!

IRC is one of many refugee resettlement agencies. If you’re interested in helping in your area, check Charity Navigator for local organizations in your community.

It’s a great privilege to feel like the work I’m doing is positively impacting the lives of people I don’t even know. 

There’s a lot going on in the world right now that threatens to separate us from one another. Being of service to others is one simple way to be reminded that we’re all more similar than we think.