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Volunteer

For over 38 years, volunteers have been the heartbeat of our work.

When you volunteer with International Relief Teams, you pack food so children don’t go hungry, rebuild homes after hurricanes and wildfires, and help families in poverty finally have a safe place to live. You’re proof that ordinary people can create extraordinary change.

Join a volunteer team today and be the reason a family can rebuild.

Volunteers are the backbone of International Relief Teams. Without your support, our work helping families survive and recover wouldn’t be possible.

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volunteers across the US
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Current Volunteer Opportunities

We have four volunteer opportunities for United States residents ONLY. 

On January 7, 2025, a series of major wildfires ignited in the greater Los Angeles area destroying nearly 40,000 acres of homes, schools, and businesses, leaving countless families in dire situations. Close to 11,662 homes were destroyed and 1,631 have major, minor, or repairable damages. Los Angeles County faces urgent recovery challenges-restoring homes, basic services, and shelter-while also needing a long-term, resilient rebuild.

Project: Framing of new homes and repairing of damaged homes
Dates: August 23-30, October 11-18, and December 6-13
Team Size: 10-15 volunteers
Skill Level: Some to expert level construction experience required
Project Duration: 8 days (travel Sunday, work Monday through Friday, half-day Saturday, travel Sunday)

Hurricane Helene struck Southern Appalachia in late September 2024, causing catastrophic flooding and landslides that resulted in over 250 fatalities across the region. In North Carolina alone, the storm damaged more than 125,000 housing units, leaving thousands of residents displaced from their homes. We are now working alongside a local partner on the ground to support long-term recovery and reconstruction efforts for the hardest-hit families in North Carolina. (Data sourced from North Carolina Department of Public Safety, 2024)

Project: Help rebuild or repair homes that were damaged or destroyed during Hurricane Helene.
Dates: July 12-18, September 13-19, and November 15-21
Team size: 8 to 10 volunteers
Skill Level: Some skills to expert level construction skills required
Project Duration: 7 days (travel Sunday, work Monday through Friday, & travel Saturday)
Participation Fee: $100/person

Background: In Tijuana, families that have migrated from central Mexico live in informal colonias on the outskirts of town.  Their homes are made of cardboard and metal scraps with no electricity or water. International Relief Teams’ volunteers have been working in these colonias for many years, helping to provide families with a safe and secure home.

Project: Build a home in one day for a family in need.
Team size: 10-12 volunteers (Southern California residents only)
Project Duration: 1 day
Participation fee: $50/person
Skill Level: None to expert experience in construction
Dates: All 2026 teams are full. Dates for 2027 will be posted in November. 
Contact: Marilyn Sethi directly at msethi@irteams.org if you would like to sponsor a build and/or host a group build.

Background: Childhood hunger has been a growing concern in San Diego County. Since 2018, International Relief Teams has been providing children at local elementary schools with weekend food packs to help families combat weekend food insecurity.

Project: Volunteers help pack 300 food packs every week and deliver them to local elementary schools​
Team size: 40 volunteers​
Project Duration: From September 2025 to May 2026. Packing team meets every Wednesday from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. Delivery teams meet every Thursday from 9:30am to 10:30am.​

Ready To Volunteer?

Please fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you soon! If you’d like more information, reach out to Marilyn Sethi at msethi@irteams.org or call (619) 284-7979.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Volunteers must live in the United States.
  • Volunteers must commit to participate for the entire duration of the project.
  • Volunteers joining a domestic construction project must be 15 years of age. Volunteers under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent.
  • Volunteers joining a Tijuana home build project must be 15 years of age. Volunteers under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent.
  • All Tijuana volunteers must have a valid passport.
  • Volunteers must complete an application, waiver and background check.
  • All contruction projects have a mandatory participation fee. (The participation fee covers travel, background checks, and volunteer insurance.)
  • Domestic construction projects include both skilled and unskilled volunteers.
  • Volunteers joining a Tijuana home build project do not need to have any construction experience.

Volunteers are not required to bring any tools, however you’re welcome to bring the following person items/hand tools if you would like:
  – Tool belt
  – Hammer
  – Measuring tape
  – Knee pads
  – Work gloves

  • It varies based on the project.
  • Emergency response shelter projects are one full week.The duration is fixed and volunteers must stay for the entirety of the build.

International Relief Teams pays for all travel, baggage, and lodging expenses. Meals are the responsibility of the volunteer.

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