A member of the welcoming party will assist case managers prepare for new arriving refugees and help be their first point of contact in San Diego, ensuring it is a positive, welcoming experience!
Key Responsibilities include:
- Assist Case Managers in finding affordable, safe housing prior to a family's or individual's arrival date.
- Help furnish and secure basic household necessities, with the help of the Alliance's Thrift Store, Safari Seconds.
- Help stock the home with food for the first week and help prepare a first hot meal.
- Go with our Case Managers and Family Advocates and Mentors to meet arrivals at the airport and transport them to their new home.
- Aid with an initial cultural orientation and sit down and enjoy a meal, help welcome them to their new home!
Impact and Sustained Outcomes: This position is extremely important to ensure that refugee's arrival experience is as encouraging as possible. Refugees are coming from a number of tremendous experiences, the Welcoming Party would help ensure that they feel safe, secure, and welcomed. Case Managers sometimes have over a hundred new arrivals a month and they are in need of great volunteers who can help ensure this crucial first meeting goes smoothly.
Training and Support: the Welcoming Party will receive an orientation training which includes information about refugees' world-wide as well as specific information about refugee populations in San Diego, as well as the history and programs at the Alliance. They will work under the joint supervision of the volunteer coordinators and case managers.
Commitment: Three months of at least 2 hours/week, depending on scheduled arrivals. This position will be considered for a one-time event if you are a group seeking one-time, group volunteer projects.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Friendly and out-going
- Fast learner, ability to multitask
- Cultural sensitivity and awareness
Benefits: Through this experience volunteers and interns will have the opportunity to experience first hand the difficulties related to navigating the challenges faced by Case Managers in preparing for new arrivals. In addition they will gain knowledge and experience of the non-profit and social services sector. This position is ideal for volunteers interested in pursuing social work of any kind.
