Community Outreach Volunteer Program

The Community Outreach Volunteer Program is designed to connect refugee claimants and their families with community volunteers who can provide emotional support, navigate the process of settlement in a new community, as well as advocate for them in their new community. Community Outreach volunteers are involved in helping newly arrived refugee claimants with the pressing needs they may have (health, school, resources in the community and how to access them), letting refugee claimants know about community events,  where they can find affordable clothing, healthcare resources, and being able to answer questions that the refugee claimant or family may have. The focus of the Community Outreach Volunteer Program is providing refugee claimants with settlement support. Refugee claimants are directed to MCRS for any issues relating to the refugee claim process.

MCRS is looking for volunteers to be involved in the Community Outreach Volunteer Program. Anyone interested in learning and working with the Legal areas of the refugee claim process is encouraged to contact the Volunteer Coordinator by email or by phone at (519) 571-1912 for more information. For more information on the skills and requirements for the Community Outreach Volunteer Program see below.

Requirements and Skills:

• A commitment to respect all refugee claimants
• Comfort working individually with refugee claimant families
• Ability to maintain consistent communication with MCRS regarding situations that arise while volunteering with a family
• A basic knowledge and/or willingness to learn about services in the community
• Flexibility to adapt to unexpected situations 
• A second, third, or fourth language is an asset (but do not let this prevent you from volunteering!)

For more information or to set up a volunteer intake meeting contact the Volunteer Coordinator Steven Reesor Rempel by email or by phone at (519) 571-1912.