Help Refugees as a Volunteer: Part I

Photo credit: https://frontporchne.com/article/teaching-english-refugees-world/

Many people want to help the refugees who have been resettled in their area; they just aren’t sure how to go about doing that. For some of us who live in more rural areas, frequent volunteering may not be possible. But for those who live in larger cities, volunteering is a wonderful way to make a difference in the lives of a few people who will never forget you. (And whose souls you will never forget, as I can say from experience–although you may not always remember the right names.) Here are two organizations you or your church leaders may contact to find out about volunteer opportunities. (I’ll post more later.) Teach English, help with finding schools and grocery stores–and share the Good News!

World Relief

World Relief is the major Christian resettlement organization in the United States. This organization faced a lot of controversy several years ago when it decided to have all its employees sign a Statement of Faith. Some of its employees (Muslims, atheists, or just professing Christians who objected to the enforcement of the Statement of Faith) ended up looking for jobs elsewhere. A now-stronger affirmation of Christian faith and values, though, makes World Relief a better fit for churches who are seeking to reach out to refugees.

CALIFORNIA

• Modesto
  Sacramento
  Garden Grove

FLORIDA

• Jacksonville
  Miami
  Tampa

GEORGIA

• Atlanta

IDAHO

• Boise

ILLINOIS

• Aurora
  Chicago
  DuPage
  Moline

MARYLAND

• Anne Arundel
  Baltimore

MINNESOTA

• Minneapolis–St. Paul

NORTH CAROLINA

• High Point
  Durham

OHIO

• Columbus
  Akron

TENNESSEE

• Memphis
  Nashville

TEXAS

• Fort Worth

WASHINGTON

• Tri-Cities
  Seattle (Kent)
  Spokane

WISCONSIN

• Fox Valley

Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Services

This organization partners with multiple smaller organizations that sponsor refugees living in cities all over the United States.

Arizona
Refugee Focus, Phoenix and Tuscon

California
Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Service, Los Angeles

Colorado
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, Denver, Colorado Springs, Greeley

Florida
Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida, Jacksonville
Lutheran Services Florida, Miami, Orlando and Tampa

Georgia
Lutheran Services of Georgia, Atlanta, Savannah

Illinois
RefugeeOne, Chicago

Maryland
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, Silver Spring

Massachusetts
Ascentria Care Alliance, Westfield and Worcester

Michigan
Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids and Troy

Minnesota
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Cloud

Nebraska
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Omaha

New Hampshire
Ascentria Care Alliance, Concord

New Mexico
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, Albuquerque

New York
Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees, Utica

North Carolina
Lutheran Services Carolinas, Raleigh

North Dakota
Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota—Center for New Americans, Bismarck, Fargo and Grand Forks

Oregon
Lutheran Community Services Northwest, Portland

Pennsylvania
Lutheran Children and Family Services of Eastern Pennsylvania, Lancaster, Philadelphia, and Allentown

South Carolina
Lutheran Services Carolinas—Refugee Resettlement Program, Columbia

South Dakota
Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, Huron and Sioux Falls

Texas
Refugee Services of Texas, Dallas, Fort Worth, Amarillo and Houston

Virginia
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, Falls Church

Washington
Lutheran Community Services Northwest, Tacoma, Vancouver, Seattle, Spokane

Wisconsin
Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Madison and Milwaukee

Tags: church, ESL, gospel, LIRS, Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Services, refugee tutor, refugees, resettlement cities, United States refugee resettlement, Volunteer, volunteering, World Relief