GET INVOLVED
Are you interested in learning more about our work at RICS? We hold regular remote informational sessions about our programs, followed by an orientation to volunteering with the organization.
If you would like details about our information sessions, volunteering, donating, or employment opportunities, please reach out anytime!
If you would like details about our information sessions, volunteering, donating, or employment opportunities, please reach out anytime!
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I am always looking for ways to connect with and support the refugee and immigrant population. I want to be a part of the "welcoming committee" and be a resource as they navigate their lives here. I also am a substitute teacher and I had one student (originally from Russia), who was helping me with the system in the classroom, tell me "It works better this way." as she explained each part of the routine. I am borrowing that as my philosophy now! The world works better when we support each other, when we learn from each other, and when we connect with each other! RICS has given me this opportunity to help the world work better. I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Kids Connect program this last year and was able to make that connection with a great group of kids and volunteers.
-Lenni, RICS Volunteer since January 2025
Before retiring, I thought I would be interested in volunteering in a way related to my past work as a lawyer, but, during retirement, I lost interest in practicing law, because it always seemed to involve conflict. I realized that what I really wanted to do was to help others, in any way I could, in order to build relationships in a positive way. Really, I just wanted to make new friends and be involved in people’s lives, because that brings me happiness. In the first year and a half of retirement, I was despairing about the violence and aggression of the U.S. government, both abroad, and at home. Doing resistance work against this violence and aggression, which I continue to do, however, didn’t help my despair. The vicious attacks from the current administration on refugees and immigrants made me realize that I needed to balance my despair by doing something positive with refugees and immigrants in Spokane whom I consider to be a tremendous and invaluable asset for everyone who lives in Spokane. I did an internet search for organizations in Spokane working with immigrants and refugees and immediately I liked what I saw online about RICS, so I contacted RICS to volunteer, and I am so glad I did.
My volunteering has, from the beginning, mainly been providing driving instruction for participants wanting to pass the driving test and get their driver’s licenses. I have also done some driving of elders to and from events organized for them. I have gone along, just for fun, to one very memorable snowshoeing event for youth on Mt. Spokane that was just pure enjoyment and I hope to just go along with youth on other outings. But, nearly all my volunteering continues to be providing driving lessons. The best part about providing driving lessons has been meeting the families of my participants, which has opened my eyes to so many things about where they come from, what they bring, and the difficulties of navigating life in the U.S., as a newcomer. My respect for them just grows and grows. The other best part of volunteering is the large and continuing hospitality and gratitude they shower on me, which revives my heart regularly and fills me with hope and joy.
For anyone considering volunteering for RICS, just begin. You will find your way to doing what gives you satisfaction volunteering. As you begin to know your first participants(s), you will be appreciated and drawn in, not just for sharing a skill or knowledge you have, but because you are sharing your life with them and welcoming them as full members of the Spokane community. And that will feel joyful.
-Karl, RICS Volunteer since August 2024
[Before becoming a volunteer] I read a lot about history and current events. One lesson has really stuck out to me: Anyone can become a refugee or migrant. The suffering that people endure as a result of forced displacement should never be experienced by any human being. If I were in that situation, I would want the citizens of my new country to welcome me with kindness and love. My favorite part of being a RICS volunteer is building relationships with participants. They are such interesting people with beautiful hearts. It brings me so much joy to learn from them as they learn from me. -Katie, RICS Volunteer since October 2024
Volunteering with RICS has been really special. It has provided me an opportunity to grow not only professionally, but personally. It has also given me more perspective about those who give up their entire lives to come to Spokane to be safe.
- Karen, RICS volunteer since January, 2022
VOLUNTEER WITH RICS
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
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RICS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Thank you for your interest in working with Refugee and Immigrant Connections!
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