What You Can Do
Give.
Become a monthly donor to the IRC. Giving monthly helps us have a stable and healthy cash flow.
Donate a non-cash gift. Your gently used computers, furniture or office equipment may be needed! Email info@ircsgv.org to find out what the greatest needs are and how you can help!
Collect school supplies or canned goods through your church, service organization or from friends - the IRC can help you get your goods to immigrant families in need through to agencies like Foothill Unity Center.
Volunteer.
Offer your skills to a non-profit for 4 or more hours per week. Skilled, consistent, hard working volunteers save non-profits thousands of dollars every year!
Translate. Immigration agencies need translators and interpreters. Are you bilingual? Your skills can be put to work - even from home!
Write. Call. Advocate!
Write or call your representative. Someone will answer if you call so be ready with thoughtful and passionate encouragement! Find your representative here
Write letters of encouragement to detainees. Several great organizations like Training Occupational Development Educating Communities (TODEC) and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services have letter writing programs to both kids and adults living in detention.
Like us on Facebook and Instagram. Regularly share posts on social media that give organizations doing good work the visibility they need!
Invite us to speak.
We can speak at your service club meeting, church, synagogue or mosque. To book a speaker from the IRC, email jean@ircsgv.org.
Host a party and make the IRC the recipient. We can even speak at a barbecue, cocktail party, or social gathering with your friends and neighbors. Plan a fun party and invite us to share the work of the IRC with your guests.
Make the IRC the recipient of a Facebook Fundraiser!
Educate yourself - share your life.
Cross-check news sources and support reputable journalism.
Reserve judgement when reading inflammatory social media and stay focused on courageous, thoughtful action.
Read and watch documentaries with your family that foster knowledge, compassion and humanity.
Seek to have civil dialogue with others. Listen more than you speak! Offer kindness and love to those with whom you may disagree.
Listen to those who have first hand experience, especially immigrants. They are the experts!
Expand your personal circle - share your life, your time and your table with immigrant neighbors.
Walk in solidarity.
Attend protests, vigils and community meetings. Make your voice heard. Join with others in the community who are serious about making a difference for our immigrant neighbors.
Mobilize your service club or faith group to organize and do good work in the community for immigrants.
Visit the border. Sometimes there are special opportunities to take medical supplies, food and water to the US/Mexico border. These trips must be taken with reputable agencies such as Border Angels, Al Otro Lado, World Relief, No More Deaths and Mennonite Central Committee. Do not attempt a border trip on your own without agency support.
Pray for our country, our immigrant neighbors and for our government leaders.