World Relief Modesto volunteers play a vital role in serving newly arrived refugees by providing mentorship, friendship, and general assistance. Some specific things that volunteers do include...
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Welcomer: Welcome a refugee family as they arrive to their new community for the first time. You will be the first welcoming face they encounter and will be forever etched in their memory as well as yours. From their arrival location you will bring them to their new apartment or transitional home.
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Appointment Advocates: Bring families to appointments and assist them with enrollments in services, medical appointments and school enrollments for children.
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ESL Tutors and Conversation Partners: Learning English and building relationships is essential to a successful resettlement. After attending a training, we will connect you with a refugee to provide conversation practice or English basics. This requires a weekly commitment of six months. Virtual tutoring is available over Zoom.
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Donation Support & Apartment Setup: Assist our staff in coordinating and seeking donations for incoming families. Be a part of making their home a welcoming and safe place to begin their new life. This may include assembling and making beds, moving furniture in place and making sure required items are present within the home.
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Community/Cultural Guides: Help orient refugees to their new community and the public resources available to them such as public transportation, shopping, banking, library services.
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Immigration Legal Services Workshops: Assist individuals in completing their applications for naturalization in a workshop setting. Must attend a training session offered by World Relief prior participation.
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Interpreters/Translators needed! Speak a second language? Let us know. We are in frequent need of Dari, Pashto, Arabic, Russian, Ukrainian and Spanish speakers.
We also have multiple volunteer projects for groups:
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Provide a “Welcome Kit” for refugees (email us for a list of needed items)
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Coordinate a Resource Drive
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Have a family over for dinner
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Develop a Good Neighbor Team (Great for Church groups)
If you have questions, please contact:
E volunteermodesto@wr.org