 Lutheran Refugee Services
Volunteer Positions
Location: Statewide
Anyone interested in these volunteer positions, whether occasionally,
part-time or full-time, please contact our staff
at (402) 346-6100 or Human Resources at (402) 342-7038.
Benefits of Becoming a Volunteer: The
main benefit of volunteering with Lutheran Refugee Services is the satisfaction
of helping people who truly need help. Most refugees arrive with very
few possessions and little awareness of the American culture. The initial
experiences they have with the people that help them resettle can have a
great impact on their how well they adjust to their new life in America.
Qualifications: Working with refugees
requires cross-cultural sensitivity, compassion, interpersonal skills, and
patience. Some positions require availability during the day. Positions
that involve transportation require a valid driver’s license and current
car insurance. All volunteers are required to complete an application,
proper background checks and attend orientation. Subsequent training
is required for those becoming mentors.
Time Commitment: In order to maintain
stability, establish trusting relationships and be effective in the work
that is done with the refugees, we ask all volunteers to make a minimum six-month
commitment to our program. Time commitment falls into 3 categories
depending on which volunteer opportunity you choose – one-time-only,
as needed or occasional, and regular weekly. Mentoring and tutoring
positions generally require weekly contact.
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE:
- Family Mentor: Provide support to refugee families
by ensuring their basic survival skills. Assist with practical needs
and referral to appropriate resources. Offer friendly encouragement
as refugees become familiar with American and local customs.
- Computer
Training: Refugees are eager to learn
the basics of computer operation. Volunteers are needed to guide
refugees through typing lessons, web navigation, and basic software
operation to improve refugees' familiarity and comfort with computers.
These skills have the added benefit of greatly improving a refugee's
employability!
- Somali Bantu Mentor: This special
group of refugees need extra help – assist a Bantu with basic
life skills including learning and practicing English, take him/her
on “field trips” that
introduce them to locations like the grocery store or post office,
or help them access the community resources they need.
- Job Search Mentor: Help
a refugee find a job! Research job opportunities and help newly
arrived refugees secure employment. Must have some availability
during normal business hours. Some
refugees may also need help filling out applications and interviewing
for jobs.
- ESL/GED Tutor: Help refugee clients to acquire
basic English skills needed for employment and life situations.
- Donations Assistant: Help
us keep the donations in our warehouse organized, as well as
develop and maintain an inventory of the items. We are better able to serve the refugees and
work with the sponsoring churches if we know what we have “in
stock” and where our greatest needs are.
- Donation Delivery Driver: Volunteers with vehicles
are always needed to be available on an on-call basis (flexible
to your schedule) to pick up donated goods and transport them to
the storage unit or to a refugee's home.
- Interpreter: Many of the refugees resettled
in Omaha do not speak English when they arrive. Using interpreters
for appointments, job interviews, etc. is necessary until the refugee
can speak enough English to represent him/herself. Interpreters
are currently needed for Sudanese and Somali Bantu languages. This
position is as needed.
- Presenters/Instructor: Volunteers with expertise
in certain areas are needed from time to time to present information
during an educational group or training class for the refugees. This
may include anything from parenting skills to first aide to quilting.
- Transportation: Drivers
are needed to pick up refugees from their home and transport
them to and from various appointments, grocery shopping, etc. Transporting refugees
is also a great way to play “tour guide” and help them
become familiar with the city!
- Child Care: Various support and educational groups are offered to the refugees. Childcare is often
needed so that the adults are free to attend the group. Groups
may be day or evening. Volunteers much have some knowledge
of child development and experience working with children.
- Office
Assistant: Volunteers are needed
occasionally to help the staff file case notes, put together mailings,
make copies, prepare material for groups, etc. Volunteering
would occur during normal business hours.
- Set Up Team: If
sponsoring churches are not involved, volunteers are needed to
help with the initial set up of a house or an apartment before
the new refugee(s) arrive. This
involves cleaning the home, moving furniture and household items
in, and then arranging things to make it “homey”. This
team is required to move fast and act on short notice as we often
get less than a weeks notice before the refugee arrives. This
position is as needed.
For more information, contact Lutheran Refugee Services
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