Volunteering with the Refugee Resettlement Program

Thank you for your interest in the Refugee Resettlement Program and our volunteer opportunities!

Volunteers are essential in welcoming the newcomer; putting a human face on the United States and helping the refugees connect with the community. Newcomers become self-sufficient more readily due to a unified volunteer, staff and client resettlement plan.

Committing to Volunteering

Volunteers often serve as a “lifeline” for refugees, orienting them to a new community, helping them with advocacy, tutoring them in English and providing friendship. The most important gift you can give is kindness and a warm welcome. Depending on the type of volunteering that you chose to do, we may ask for up to a three month commitment.

Volunteer Role

In keeping with the program’s mission, and with both compassion and empowerment, volunteers are committed to addressing the legitimate initial resettlement and adjustment needs of those refugees entrusted by the Program to their care. Please review the entire Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Volunteer Handbook (located in the volunteer packet) and list of services provided to clients as to avoid replication of assistance and for more specific information on volunteer policies and procedures.

Volunteer Opportunities

In order to provide the multitude of assistance and to access the many resources refugees need for successful resettlement, we have several different but equally important volunteer positions:

1.  Family Mentor Groups

As a family mentor, you will first become involved with a family about a month after arrival. After the family arrives, we would like you to try to spend time with the family about once per week. During this time you may help them practice English, take them to the grocery store, or just chat about life in the U.S.

As a Family Mentor we ask that you make a commitment to the family for at least 3 months. In this position, you may find it useful to form a group of 2-3 people, with friends, family or co-workers.

  • Background Check Required
  • Volunteer Orientation Required

*Background Check

All volunteers that have direct contact with refugees much complete a background check. This is only to protect refugees, who are in a very vulnerable time in their lives as they try to adjust and learn about their new community/country.

 

How to Get Started:

Contact our office at 507-287-2047 or stop by our office at

903 West Center St Suite 220, Rochester, MN 55902

(United Way Building) to pick up a Volunteer Packet.

or

volunteer online:

2.  Grocery Shopping Groups

All newly arrived refugees are able to access food support 5-10 days after arrival; however, it greatly assists newly arrived refugees the night of arrival and the week that follows to have fresh basic groceries.

By assisting in purchasing basic food items to be available the day or night refugee families arrive into the U.S, you are helping not only feed families but creating a sense of “welcome.”

Click Here for More Information:   

Grocery Groups Flier

How to Get Started:

Contact our office at 507-287-2047 to be placed on the contact list

3.  Donation Collections

We rely on donations of household items to set up the apartments for new refugee arrivals and other funds (such as the refurbished computer/internet fund, shopping cart fund, rental assistance/utility fund) to help refugees become established in a short period of time.

Volunteers may organize donation drives for these items in order to meet the needs of families or to stock up our supplies.

To schedule a pick-up of household items please call our office at 507-287-2087 Ext 123 a week in advance.

Click Here for More Details:

Children’s Welcome Baskets

Cleaning Supplies Baskets

Survival Kits

     

4.  Special Projects

CCRRP often engages volunteers in special projects to benefit the program which uses your skills and talents. Please contact us with your ideas for special projects.

Great Ways to Raise Funds for Refugees in Your Community

  • Host a Garage Sale
  • Bake Sales
  • Your own great idea!