Office Support Volunteer Program
MCRS is the only organization in the Waterloo Region that provides support to refugee claimants with the refugee claim process. At the office, refugee claimants are guided through the refugee determination process and receive help settling into the community. The MCRS Support Worker provides families initial orientation and emotional support, and office volunteers (recruited and trained by the Volunteer Coordinator) provide the families with any necessary assistance.
For the refugee claim process, this support includes: orientation, help with filling out forms and photocopying documents, translation and interpretation services, contacting Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Immigration and Refugee Board, lawyers, and Legal Aid.
Settlement support includes: help with accessing Social Assistance, ESL schools, shelters, food hampers, medical and counseling services, and orientation of other community resources.
MCRS is looking for volunteers to be involved in the Office Support 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 Office Support Volunteer Program see below.
Requirements and Skills:
- A commitment to respect all refugee claimants
- Comfort working with refugee claimant families
- Ability to ask questions and work in a team with staff and volunteers
- 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.
