Welcome to IRCO`s Volunteer Page!

At IRCO, our volunteers are considered part of our family, our greatest advocates, and crucial to our mission. Our volunteers provide essential skills and knowledge to fulfill our mission, meaning your time can have a real impact on people’s lives. Volunteering with IRCO can also provide a transformative opportunity to be part of a diverse group and gain exposure to different areas of social services.

There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities ranging from one-time to ongoing across most of our programs and with IRCO Events. If you’re interested in a position, simply fill out the application and our Volunteer Team will get in touch with next steps!

Please note: Application processing times may be longer than usual due to higher application numbers. Thank you for your patience!

Important Notes for New Applicants

Thanks for your interest in volunteering with IRCO! Please review these important notes before applying:

  • The positions linked below reflect IRCO’s current volunteer opportunities and support needs. Please review each role’s schedule, location, skills, and qualifications to ensure it’s a good fit.
  • If there is not a role listed below that you are interested in supporting, we encourage you to check back later. We post new roles every month.
  • We seek volunteers who can make a longer-term commitment. Most roles take place during IRCO work hours, typically Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, though schedules vary.
  • We encourage applicants to start with one role rather than applying for multiple opportunities.
  • In your application, identify the specific role you’re interested in and describe any relevant experience.
  • The General Interest section helps us understand your preferences and introduces IRCO’s programs, but does not guarantee openings in those areas.
  • Opportunities for volunteers under 18 are limited and considered case-by-case.
  • Please review ourVolunteer Agreement. for more information.

Questions? Contact volunteer@irco.org.

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General Interests

FOOD PANTRIES

IRCO SUN Community School's In-School Food Pantries are possible through a partnership with the Oregon Food Bank (OFB). Clients are provided with nutritious foods to support their families for up to 3-5 days, depending on family size. OFB In-School Food Pantries are open to the public and have no income qualifications to shop; all are welcome. A registration form is required at a client's first visit. All data collected is kept private and is never shared with any agency other than OFB. IRCO SUN currently operates 9 OFB In-School Food Pantries, across east Multnomah County, with each IRCO SUN site offering a food distribution once a week. All OFB food pantries, including the IRCO SUN In-School ones, can be located through https://foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org/

Activity Shifts Start End
SB/Hunger Relief – Harrison Park School (OFB) 35 10/26/2026 6/21/2027
SB/Hunger Relief – McDaniel High School (OFB) 34 10/28/2026 6/16/2027
SB/Hunger Relief- Lent Elementary School 34 10/26/2026 6/14/2027

GREATER MIDDLE EAST CENTER

As an IRCO Office - and currently IRCO's only office in Washington County and on the west side of the Portland metropolitan area, GMEC is also the base for various Sector teams, which provide culturally responsive services to the GMEC community and serve communities at large.

 

Activity Shifts Start End
Data Specialist – GMEC CECB 1
GMEC Graphic Design and Communications (Social Media) Volunteer 1

SCHOOL BASED YOUTH PROGRAMS

IRCO’s School-Based Programs support children, youth and families through their neighborhood schools by providing a rich array of extended day programming, food and resource support, Kindergarten readiness, parent leadership, and family engagement. Our 22 SUN Community Schools serve as resource hubs across Multnomah County empowering communities through their schools.

Activity Shifts Start End
High School Math Tutor - SUN Youth Advocacy Program 29 10/22/2026 1/28/2027
Math tutor - Slavic SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) Youth Advocacy 1
SUN Extended Day Activities Intern 1

SCHOOL LINKED YOUTH PROGRAMS

IRCO’s School-Linked Programs support K-12 students with holistic, wraparound services that promote academic success through afterschool groups, one-on-one case management, mentoring, tutoring, academic advocacy, family engagement, and community celebrations. IRCO's culturally and linguistically specific supports narrow opportunity gaps, improve reading and math, ease school transitions, and increase the number of youth graduating from high school and pursuing college or career opportunities.

Activity Shifts Start End
RESJ George Middle School Mentor 62 10/27/2026 5/26/2027
RESJ Harrison Middle School Mentor 94 10/22/2026 5/27/2027
RESJ Lane Middle School Mentor 62 10/27/2026 5/26/2027
RESJ Roseway Heights Middle School Mentor  94 10/22/2026 5/27/2027

SLAVIC & EASTERN EUROPEAN CENTER

IRCO's Slavic & Eastern European Center (SEEC) draws on our multi-cultural and ethnic communities to build a safe future and flourish together through respect, understanding, openness to dialogue and mutual support. A pillar of that community, SEEC is led by an advisory council of community leaders and staffed by a multicultural multilingual IRCO team.

Activity Shifts Start End
SEEC Outreach Volunteer 1

SURVIVOR SERVICES - CS & W

The IRCO Survivor Services Sector provides free, confidential, and trauma-informed support to survivors of violence, exploitation, and abuse.

Through the Services Against Exploitation program, IRCO serves survivors of human trafficking, offering crisis intervention, safety planning, long-term case management, legal and immigration support, housing and employment advocacy, and justice system navigation through a client-centered approach.

The Refugee & Immigrant Family Strengthening (RIFS) program supports immigrant, refugee, and undocumented survivors and their families by connecting them to comprehensive resources including safety planning and escape support, legal services and court accompaniment, emergency shelter and long-term housing, language education, employment training, and holistic support for survivors and their children.

Activity Shifts Start End
Survivor Services Internship (Graduate Student Level) 1
Survivor Services Internship (Undergraduate Student Level) 1

TAX SUPPORT PROGRAM

IRCO Tax Assistance Program provides free tax preparation to community members with household incomes under $100,000. With the help of our IRS-certified volunteer team, clients receive trusted support filing federal and state returns, claiming eligible credits, and navigating tax season with confidence. Tax clinics run from Feb - April at IRCO sites and cultural centers. 

During the 2025 tax season, 21 IRS-certified volunteers contributed more than 700 volunteer hours and helped complete over 1,200 accepted tax returns. Together, they brought more than $2.7 million in combined federal and state refunds back into the community through tax year 2024 filings.

Activity Shifts Start End
Intake Specialist 33 2/2/2027 4/16/2027
Tax Preparer 35 10/27/2026 4/16/2027

Mission Statement

IRCO Mission Statement
IRCO’s mission is to welcome, serve, and empower immigrants, refugees, and people across cultures and generations so they can reach their full potential. Founded by refugees in 1976, IRCO has grown into Oregon’s largest immigrant and refugee service organization, offering employment support, youth programs, family services, and community resources at more than 50 sites statewide.

Welcome to the IRCO Volunteer Program
We’re glad to have you on our volunteer team supporting IRCO’s work with immigrants, refugees, and others in need. For nearly 50 years, our mission has relied on the shared effort of staff, volunteers, and community partners. Now more than ever, your support makes a meaningful difference. If you value collaboration, finding purpose in your work, and contributing to a better world, you’re in the right place.

The volunteer portal gives you what you need to get started, including information about IRCO’s programming and impact, volunteer opportunities, expectations, policies, and other key resources. We’re grateful to have you with us and look forward to the work we’ll do together.

Volunteer Impact This Fiscal Year

5,612 hours

184 volunteer & interns

75 positions & placements