Background Information: For the first time in more than 4 years, refugee families in the US have the opportunity to file for immediate family members living overseas through the AOR program. The filing process is complex and completing the application without assistance can be confusing and difficult for a refugee or asylee. As a Volunteer Refugee Immigration Assistant you get the unique opportunity to assist in the process of helping to reunite families who have been separated for many years.
Volunteer Activities: Volunteers will directly assist refugees and asylees in the completion of applications as well as working closely with the Immigration Services staff on administrative tasks related to those applications. Activities include a mixture of meeting applicants to fill out forms, making copies, mailing, data entry and filing.
Training: Volunteers receive a general volunteer orientation from the Volunteer Coordinator to learn about refugee resettlement and the services MCC Refugee Services provides. The Immigration Services Coordinator will provide extensive initial training on the processing of immigration applications and ongoing training as government procedures change.
Support: Volunteers will work alongside the Immigration Services Assistant and Immigration Services Coordinator, who will be available to answer questions and review completed applications before submission.
Time Commitment: 4-8 hours per week. Must be available on Wednesdays for full or half days as this is when processing occurs. We ask for a minimum six-month commitment, due to the extensive training provided. The opportunity will begin in January and continue through June.
Qualifications:
- Excellent cross-cultural communication skills
- Proven attention to detail (experience with immigration paperwork preferred)
- Ability to maintain a regular schedule
- Flexibility, promptness, and dependability
- Bilingual in other languages helpful but NOT required
