Direct Refugee Support: Core Volunteer

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Portland Refugee Support Group (PRSG) pairs a core volunteer with a family to build trusting relationships and help clients adjust to their new homes . The pairing creates a unique reciprocal experience for volunteers and families. Volunteers engage in a collaborative process of growth that involves exchanging knowledge, culture, language, and perspective. We currently work with over 500 client families from Syria, Venezuela, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Burma, and Egypt. Core volunteers help families set and achieve goals that lay the foundation for successful lives in the United States.

We provide a healthy support system as well as ongoing training for volunteers to ensure they are equipped to meet the needs of the family.

By volunteering as a core volunteer with PRSG, you will learn about the issues facing refugees and asylum seekers and how local benefit agencies impact refugees. You will also have the opportunity to make long lasting relationships with refugee families, other volunteers, and make a positive impact in your community .

Some tasks include:

• Making medical and resources appointments
• Arranging for interpreters and transportation
• Teaching families how to navigate their new neighborhoods
• Showing them where to purchase cost-effective food and clothing

We offer a customized approach for each family, so tasks may vary.