As we enter a new year, I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself and share LIRS’ vision for volunteers in 2022.
A little about me: I am a relatively new but enthusiastic resident of Baltimore, where I live with my husband. I am also a dual citizen of the Netherlands—which means coffee, buttered bread, and almond extract are pillars of my diet.
I joined LIRS in November 2021, having previously worked as a linguist and project manager in the tech space. The non-linguistic portion of my formal education centered on intercultural studies, and I am delighted to be working in that space now, doing work that meets urgent, tangible needs.
I know we share this passion. Last year, in response to the Afghan crisis, over 100,000 of you reached out offering your time and talents. The magnitude of your generosity floors and inspires me every time I get to share that statistic.
However, many of you did not receive information regarding hands-on opportunities to serve our newest neighbors, and I know that has been frustrating and disappointing for some of you. I want to reassure you that the lack of communication did not stem from a lack of appreciation. Rather, the employees of LIRS and our affiliates were in crisis mode, working around the clock for months on end without the resources to bring you into the work.
Now, that is changing. I have been brought on to facilitate a positive journey for you as volunteers. This includes revitalizing and expanding former programs, introducing new volunteer opportunities, creating a clear pathway for engagement, and—of course—listening to you.
In the first quarter of 2022 we will be relaunching our Pen Pal program with folks held in immigration detention centers, laying the groundwork for US Citizenship Test Prep certification, overhauling our Action Center web page, and more!
Each quarter I will send a Volunteer Newsletter to keep you abreast of developments at LIRS and existing and upcoming volunteer opportunities, as well as to share your stories from the front lines. If you are already volunteering and have a story to share, we’d love to hear it! Please email outreach@lirs.org and use the subject line ‘Volunteer Vista’.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your willingness to serve, your engagement, and your patience. I look forward to meeting some of you soon—if only virtually for now! I cannot wait to see how your communities transform over the coming year through your commitment to welcome refugees and immigrants.
Grace and Peace,
Christina Iwuagwu |
