Economic Empowerment Spring 2026 Intern - Unpaid

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

BACKGROUND 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 28 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home. Domestically, our offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and that they are connected to community support systems. The IRC works with refugees, immigrants, and survivors of trafficking to help them gain self-sufficiency.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Economic Empowerment program assists refugees to become economically self-sufficient by assisting eligible clients in accessing public benefits, placing recently arrived refugees in their first job in the United States, and supporting longer-term clients with economic mobility via career laddering. The Economic Empowerment Spring 2026 Intern will interact with clients regularly helping build employment skills, reducing barriers to employment, and assisting refugees in navigating public benefits and other community resources. This position will work closely with the Economic Empowerment and Resettlement teams to ensure clients receive seamless and high-quality services.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide equal treatment to all client groups in accordance with the agency's commitment to the dignity of all persons.
• Assist Caseworkers in gathering necessary documentation for submitting public benefits applications.
• Transport clients to the Department of Community Based Services (DCBS) office, job interviews, and pre-employment drug screens as needed. 
• Perform activities related to removing barriers to self-sufficiency such as helping clients secure state IDs, open bank accounts, public transportation orientation, Job Readiness Training, etc.
• Create individualized resumes and cover letters, assist with finding job leads, and complete job applications with clients.
• Assist clients in accessing community assistance such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), food pantries, infant and maternal resources, etc. 
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate casefiles and case notes, and complete regular casefile review. 
• Other duties as assigned.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

• Intern will gain US resettlement agency experience in service provision.
• Intern will learn how to communicate effectively across cultures including by utilizing interpreters.
• Intern will acquire knowledge of programs and public benefits available to humanitarian immigrants.
• Intern will gain knowledge pertaining to job development, building soft skills, and refugee and asylee right to work.
• Intern will learn reporting requirements for resettlement agencies and how capturing this data improves services.

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a current undergraduate student, graduate student, or less than 12 months past graduation. 
• Candidates must have work authorization status in the United States (the IRC must not be represented as a sponsor or host in any application, filing, or other context for an intern). 
• Primary availability during IRC business hours (M-F; 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM).  
• Preference given to applicants able to make multi-term commitments. 
• Ability to handle sensitive client information confidentially. 
• Strong intercultural communication skills, including demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and across language barriers. 
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team 
• Previous experience working with vulnerable populations preferred but not required. 
• Education and/or experience working in social work/social services preferred but not required.  
• Comfortable with Microsoft Excel and willingness to learn to use new software for data entry. 
• Adherence to IRC volunteer/intern and workplace policies 

TRAINING & GUIDANCE

In-depth training will be provided for interns to understand IRC programming and the various needs of clients accessing IRC services. Interns will receive training on IRC’s federal R&P and APA service agreements and their programmatic requirements for resettlement services. Interns with client languages who could serve as an interpreter will receive guidance on policies when interpreting. Other activities, specific training will be provided as needed. Flexibility, initiative, and a desire to collaborate are essential qualities for this intern opportunity. A high level of confidentiality is required when working with IRC clients.

HOW TO APPLY

All intern opportunities are contingent on clearing a background check*. Interns must adhere to the IRC intern and workplace policies, which include confidentiality and client safeguarding. Apply online at Rescue.org/Careers, selecting Louisville. Email questions to Volunteer.Louisville@Rescue.org.

FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, & YOUTH PROGRAM LEADERS

If you would like to discuss connecting your organization with the IRC in Louisville for internship opportunities, please email  Volunteer.Louisville@rescue.org with the subject line “INTERNSHIP."

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED & SUPPORT

• Learn more about the IRC’s work at Rescue.org/Louisville
• Fight for policies that deliver real change for the people we serve: Rescue.org/take-action

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Cookies: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/cookiesettings

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.