SOAR offers a variety of volunteer opportunities!
At Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees, our volunteers very often save the day! Given the nature of resettlement, our office will go through extremely busy and slow times, and our volunteers really help us get through those busy weeks. Many of the volunteer opportunities with SOAR require extreme flexibility. Working with newly arrived refugees means understanding that communication is very important but is not always easy. Additionally, opportunities may come up with very short notice.
You, your congregation, friends or community organization can help by sponsoring an individual or family. Sponsors create a hospitable environment for refugees and provide material needs upon their arrival to the United States. Check out our co-sponsorship program to learn how to form your own "Community Support Team."
The following are our current volunteer opportunities (download a PDF version). If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out our Volunteer Interest Form below.
little or no direct client assistance
Donations Search
(no direct contact, remote position, hours vary)
Volunteer will be added to email list to assist in donating or to seek donors that can provide needed items for refugee families. Volunteers will work remotely to locate donations through personal, professional, or online channels.
*We have limited storage space at the SOAR office. It would be helpful for volunteers to be able to collect donations to store in a garage or personal storage space until it can be delivered to the client.
Donation Drop-Off /Pick-Up
(some direct contact, on call, hours vary)
Volunteers will assist staff in picking up donated items (including large furniture) and deliver donated household items, furniture and small appliances to our clients’ homes. Volunteers with trucks or vans who are willing to transport furniture and other smaller items are welcome to offer this service.
Apartment Search
(no direct contact, remote position, hours vary)
Affordable housing can be tricky to find! These volunteers will be added to an email list to assist case managers in find apartment listings and budget-friendly housing situations. Can also include networking with property managers to advocate for future affordable housing options for incoming clients.
Low Commitment
Transportation
(some direct contact, on-call, hours vary)
Our clients have many appointments to go to in their first couple of weeks in the Portland metro area. The four major appointments are at DHS, Social Security, IRCO or Mid-County Clinic. Given our case mangers’ caseloads, it can be very difficult for them to drive their clients to each appointment. This opportunity will most often require a car; however, in some cases using public transit with our clients can be much easier and a great way to introduce them to the process. Volunteers will be asked to pick up the client at their home, take them to their appointment, and then take them back home. In addition, there may be times case managers need help picking up clients at the airport.
Clothes Shopping *Transportation Volunteers encouraged to sign up
(on call, schedule varies, approximately 1-2 hours per week for 1-3 weeks)
We partner with Deseret Industries Thrift Store to provide clothing vouchers for our clients. They are able to shop at the store at no cost to them. Volunteers will meet the family or bring them to the store and help count up the cost. It's a fun way to engage with the family! Transportation volunteers are encouraged, as many families will need a ride and a way to transport the clothes.
Welcome Meal
(between 1 to 2 hours on day of client arrival, on an on-call basis, schedule varies)
This is a fun way to prepare for a new family's arrival! Provide our clients with a culturally appropriate meal upon arrival. We will provide you with the grocery list and resources to provide a meal. You will not need to make this meal by hand, as we will give you stores that can provide pre-made meals in the cultural style of the family. However, if you have experience making food from a client's home country, opportunities to make a homemade meal can be discussed.
medium Commitment
Bus Trainings
(on-call, schedule varies, between 2-4 hours)
Transportation is a huge barrier for our clients. Learning how to navigate public transit can open up the world to them. However, it is a daunting task in an unfamiliar culture and when still learning English. Volunteers would help guide clients to common routes such as SOAR, IRCO and a grocery store. Volunteers will train first with the volunteer coordinator or an experienced volunteer bus trainer. Volunteers may need to “buddy up” with other volunteers when working with large families.
Translation/Interpretation
(between 1 to 2 hour shifts, primarily weekdays on an on-call basis, schedule varies)
Our clients come from all over the world. Occasionally, we have need for volunteer interpreters. If you have fluency in any of the languages listed below, we could use your volunteer services to assist clients with interpretation during appointments. These are generally appointments with the case manager, including client intake and cultural orientation.
Our most needed languages: Dari, Pashto, Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, Burmese (especially Rohingya dialect), Arabic, Swahili and French.
Food Bank and Grocery Shopping *Transportation Volunteers encouraged to sign up
(approximately 1 to 2 hours primarily on week days, on-call, schedule varies)
Families need a supply of groceries until they receive WIC/SNAP benefits (usually 1 to 2 weeks). Even after receiving SNAP benefits, clients have emergency food needs that come up. These volunteers would assist families in taking them and showing them how to use the nearest food bank. We might also have need for volunteers who can research nearby food banks to a family’s address and sign clients up if they need emergency services or regular service to their home. Transportation volunteers encouraged, as many families will need a ride and a way to transport the food.
High Commitment
ESL Tutoring
(1 hour per week for 12 weeks)
For this opportunity, volunteers with ESL experience will be matched with a client (18+ adult learners only) who has requested extra help with English. The tutor will provide casual lessons to an individual or family for 12 weeks (1 hour per week) to focus on basic vocabulary and common phrases.
Please note that all ESL volunteers provide supplemental tutoring. All our clients are enrolled in ESL classes through IRCO, where they will be taught by trained ESL instructors. Volunteers would create their own material and curriculum.
Conversation Partner
(1 hour per week for 12 weeks)
This is a good fit for volunteers interested in tutoring but may have less ESL experience or are looking for a more casual setting. Volunteers would be matched with clients who already have solid English skills but wish to practice and engage in cultural conversations.
Culture Skills
(approximately 1-2 hours per week, possibility of weekly, on-call, schedule varies)
Guide client in learning necessary life skills such as comparing prices at the grocery store, computer literacy coaching, setting up a banking and ATM account, setting up an email account, scheduling medical appointments online and over the phone, etc. If client needs extra support, could potentially be matched to provide ongoing assistance.