MentorsMentoring a refugee is a great way to help a newly arrived refugee feel welcome, and can be arranged to fit your time and ability. Prior to their arrival, we will assign you to one specific refugee or family and create a plan on how you will mentor this person - with support from our agency! We will work with you to set you up with someone who fits your interest and ability, as is possible. For example, if you are studying Arabic, we can arrange for you to mentor an Arabic speaking family. (Obviously, some languages are more common than others.)
While mentoring your family, there is an unlimited number of things you can do together. The reality is that even just sitting and talking together helps a refugee feel truly welcomed to the United States. Some mentors take their clients to the zoo, the park, the library, and other interesting Denver landmarks. Other mentors spend more time assisting the family in specific tasks: transportation to medical appointments, children's school registration, etc. You can even go with our driver to welcome your family at the airport. It is important to understand that we frequently depend on donations to meet additional needs. Unless we have a specific donation of zoo tickets or museum passes, typically we will not have the funds to pay for outings. You are not obligated to spend any cash or provide any goods/donations to your family. If you do have specific funds to donate to your family, we can assist you in the process, as well as provide you with a receipt for the tax deductible donation. Just let us know - we are here to support you and our clients! During your time as a mentor, you will have our case managers and volunteer coordinator to help you with any concerns or issues that may arise. While we cannot provide interpretation for every interaction, if there is a concern we can always assist with interpretation. You can establish a time frame that fits your needs - some mentors only work with a client or family for a few weeks, some mentors stay in touch for years. You can give as little as two hours twice a month, as often as once a week. Whatever works for you and your family! |
Church SponsorshipsChurches can sponsor a refugee. This is extremely similar to mentoring. Donating your time, goods, or funds as a church group is a fantastic way to make a huge difference in an individual or family's lives. This is especially helpful to groups who may have limited time.
As the number of churches who are able to sponsor refugees is limited, we typically prefer to pair larger families or other clients who will require additional support. Some of our clients come from cultures where larger families are more common (even up to 8 children). Large families and other refugees with disabilities or other health concerns will typically be the highest priority for sponsorships, but we will work with you to match you to an family that fits you well. If your church group is interested in sponsoring a refugee, please contact Genevieve Cruz at [email protected] or at 303-860-0128 x112 for further information. As with mentoring, we will create a plan before the family's arrival. You will have our staff's support as a sponsor. |
Questions? Our volunteer coordinator, Genevieve Cruz, can answer any questions you have. Please contact her at [email protected] or at 303-860-0128 x112.