IRC — Free Refugee Peer Mentor Programs Nationwide
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the largest refugee resettlement organizations in the United States, with 28+ field offices in cities across the country. IRC’s peer mentor programs match newly arrived refugees with trained community mentors — often longer-settled refugees or community members — for ongoing one-on-one peer support during the early period of resettlement. Combined with IRC’s broader case management, IRC peer mentor matches give newly arrived refugees a steady relationship with someone who has walked the road.
What to Expect
IRC peer mentor programs vary by city but typically pair a newly arrived refugee or asylum seeker with a trained mentor for six to twelve months of weekly or biweekly contact. Mentors help with navigating school systems, healthcare, employment, public transportation, English language learning, social connection, and the broader work of adjusting to U.S. life. Many IRC offices also run peer support groups — women’s groups, youth groups, ethnically specific groups for larger refugee populations in the area — that complement the mentor relationship with broader community. IRC’s parallel case management ensures clients also have professional support for legal status, employment, and benefits.
Who This Group Is For
IRC peer mentor programs serve newly arrived refugees, asylum seekers, special immigrant visa (SIV) holders, and other newcomers eligible for resettlement services. Members come from across the world — Afghan, Ukrainian, Congolese, Syrian, Somali, Venezuelan, Burmese, and many other refugee populations. Offices operate in cities including New York, Atlanta, Phoenix, San Diego, Dallas, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Boise, Tucson, Charlottesville, Silver Spring, Baltimore, and many others. Mentors are often longer-settled refugees or community members trained by IRC.
Why Peer Support Works
Newly arrived refugees often describe the practical complexity of U.S. life as overwhelming — and the peer relationship with someone who has navigated the same complexity makes the difference between sinking and surfacing. IRC’s mentor model creates that peer relationship intentionally, with training and oversight to make it sustainable. Many mentor-mentee pairs continue informal friendships for years after the formal program ends, contributing to long-term refugee well-being and community integration.
How to Join
IRC services are free for eligible newcomers. Visit rescue.org/united-states to find your local IRC field office, request services, or volunteer as a peer mentor. Each IRC city office runs its own programming with some local variation; staff at the local office can describe current peer mentor and group offerings.