Thank you for you interest in volunteering with Refugee Resettlement! This opportunity is not currently taking new volunteers. If you are interested in being placed on our waitlist, please email volunteer@jfssd.org.
Program:
Refugee Resettlement Program (R&R) assists arriving refugees to adjust to their lives in the U.S. by helping them find employment, learn English, navigate public institutions, and more. To address the cultural adjustment newcomers often face and its accompanying challenges, JFS offers many volunteer opportunities centered around empowerment through knowledge, community, and self-sufficiency.
Goal of Position:
Volunteer Resource Navigators play a vital role in meeting the needs of refugee families who are rebuilding their lives in San Diego. In this role, Volunteers will provide essential services and assistance to families, both in the community or in their homes. For many refugees, language barriers and unfamiliarity with US systems can make it difficult to access the resources they need. Our families come from diverse backgrounds and speak a variety of languages, including Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Arabic, Kinyarwanda, and Swahili. However, our volunteers are able to bridge this gap with the help of live translation apps such as Tarjimly and Google Translate. With these resources at hand, volunteers assist families in applying for reduced-cost internet, low-income programs through SDG&E, library services, and community college/trade school programs. Connecting families to resources like these greatly supports the family in their journey towards self-sufficiency.
Responsibilities:
- Receive training and learn independently about one or more of our target resources
- Develop infographics and materials around resource(s) when needed
- Maintain open communication with Volunteer Coordinators
- Model patience when navigating customer service situations
- Assist clients with applications
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Pass a LiveScan background check
- Complete HIPAA 3 training and JFS Waiver
- Be at least 18 years or all minors must be accompanied by an adult
- Attend a program interview and Refugee Resettlement volunteer orientation
- Be considerate and patient with English learners
- Be willing to work respectfully with people of all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in a compassionate and caring manner
- Able to work independently with little supervision
- Have reliable transportation to get to the family home, owning your own car is a plus
- honor confidentiality of client records and sign confidentiality agreement
Time Commitment:
- 3 hours/week
- 4 month commitment
Benefits:
- In-person opportunity
- Make a lasting difference in the lives of newly resettled families
- Gain experience providing responsive social services
