Volunteer with the Coalition

The Refugee Resettlement Coalition of Lane County is a community effort to support refugees and asylum seekers who are resettling in our area. The Coalition is primarily made up of volunteers. We could not do our work to welcome and support refugees and asylum seekers without the many people who have shared their time and knowledge. Thank you for considering joining this important community effort.

Current volunteer needs:
  • Join the Fundraising Team.  The fundraising team works to raise funds to support the project through donations, events and grants.
  • John the Communications Team.  One or two social media managers are needed, to post items on the Coalition's Facebook page and in Instagram (these are connected).  You don't have to locate the items to post; we will send them to you. 
  • Join the Integrated Health Team. Health care professionals are needed to meet the needs of refugees.
  • Be an Interpreter (Oral).  Fluent foreign language speakers are needed to interpret for refugees. Currently, we are particularly seeking speakers of Dari, Arabic and Spanish, although other languages will likely be needed in future. We maintain a list of interpreters and the languages they speak so that we may call on them when needed.
  • Be a Translator (Written)  Volunteers are needed to translate English-language documents into the native language of a refugee or asylum seeker. ​
  • Be an Advocate. Provide support to a refugee or asylum seeker. Being an advocate requires training (which the Coalition will provide) and a 12-month commitment. For more information about being an advocate, see the job description.
  • Provide transportation. We often need drivers to take people to appointments, school, work and other activities.
  • Housing and employment are our biggest challenges.  Can you provide temporary housing, or ongoing housing?  Would you be willing to rent to a refugee or asylum seeker, or do you have a lead on an affordable rental?  Also, do you have a job to offer or a lead on employment possibilities?  Please fill out our volunteer application form if you can help in any of these areas.
Want to volunteer? Fill out our brief volunteer application form
Once you complete the volunteer application form, your name will be passed on to the team leaders in the areas in which you express interest.  However, you may not hear from them unless a need arises for more volunteers in their area.  Your information will remain in our database and, should the situation change, we will be in touch with you.
OUR MISSION
Mobilize the community to welcome and support refugees and asylum seekers, fostering their well-being and self-sufficiency.
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