Volunteer Opportunities

Apartments Set Up Volunteer:  Prior to refugee arrival, help to set up apartment. Clean if needed and create a welcoming environment for the family. Must be able to respond to request for set up with little advance notice: usually within a two day time period.

Responsibilities:

  • Make beds
  • Arrange furniture
  • Put household goods in their respective places

Commitment: Set up usually takes a total of four hours.

Support and training: Volunteers will receive a brief orientation and training and have continued access to staff and other volunteers for help

Pick Up/ Delivery Volunteer:  MRS relies on donations of all household goods. People often want to donate goods but cannot deliver them.

Responsibilities:

  • This volunteer position requires people who are willing to pick up donations and deliver them to our office as needed.

Commitment: This volunteer would need to be willing to be accessible and flexible.

Support and Training: Volunteers will receive a brief orientation and have continued access to staff and other volunteers for help.

Family Mentors:  Family Mentors help newly arrived refugees adjust to their home, community and American culture.

Responsibilities May Include:

  • Teach them how to use a stove and refrigerator
  • Teach them how to use public transportation
  • Show them how to grocery shop
  • Teach them how to meet neighbors, e.g., form good relationship
  • Help them understand basics of financing, e.g., opening a checking account, balancing a check book, etc.
  • Act as a conduit between the schools and families to help children adjust
  • Review and underline important safety issues both in and outside of the home

Commitment: We ask family mentors to make a three-month commitment visiting the refugee family a minimum of two days a week.

Support and Training: All family mentors are required to be fingerprinted and attend Virtus Training. There is no cost for this training. Support and training for the volunteers consists of an initial 2 ½ hour meeting to learn about refugee cultures, specific areas in which refugee families need assistance, and how to develop appropriate relationships with refuges. There will be a follow-up meeting approximately 30 days later for volunteer feedback and discussion. In regards to support, volunteers will always have direct access to staff for any questions and concerns that may arise.

Affidavit of Relationship (AOR Volunteer): Refugees whose family members are still overseas may apply to bring their families to the U.S. This is accomplished by completing an Affidavit of Relationship. Volunteer will work with refugee, interpret and must have good attention to detail and knowledge of Microsoft Word.

Personal Shoppers: Within a week after arrival, refugees need numerous items such as clothes and other essential items, e.g., shoes, outer wear, etc.

Responsibilities:

  • Transport and help refugees shop for clothing and other necessary items.
  • This volunteer position requires a valid driver’s license and car insurance.

Commitment: Volunteer would need to be flexible and accessible with little advance notice.

Support and Training: Volunteers are required to be fingerprinted and attend Virtus Training. Volunteers will receive a brief orientation and have continued access to staff and other volunteers for help.