Volunteer for USCRI Vermont

Thank you for your interest in volunteering to help refugees build a new life in Vermont.

The Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program has a number of ways that you can give of yourself to help refugees.

The first step is to attend an Orientation for New Volunteers, and fill out a Volunteer Application.

Resettling refugees in our community from cultures around the globe involves many people. Volunteers with a high degree of integrity, compassion and flexibility are essential to easing refugees’ transition to self-sufficiency.

Opportunities to work directly with refugees:

• Family Friend -- assist newly-arrived families to adjust to life in Vermont.
• Job Search Coach -- assist with resumes and practicing interviewing skills.
• English Tutor -- assist clients in English language acquisition.

Opportunities to support refugee programs:
(You’ll work with VRRP staff and volunteers)

• Administrative support -- help with filing, etc. in the office.
• Event planning -- help to plan and prepare for community events.
• Fundraising -- help to organize and run a donation drive.
• Picking up donations -- transport larger donations to the VRRP warehouse.

Complete our Volunteer Application to learn more about how you can become involved.

We also have opportunities for Companies to become involved with helping refugees. After all it makes good business sense to help refugees get off to a good start. They provide tremendous energy and a strong work ethic to our community.

To explore potential ways you can welcome new community members contact Laurie Stavrand at 802-338-4627 or lstavrand@uscrivt.org.

Some of the ways your company may be able to help are:

• By providing storage space for beds, furniture and winter clothing
• By providing space for ESL classes, workshops, and community events
• Offering services ranging from advertising events to cleaning office carpets
• Facilitating community donations of used beds and furniture

We also have many ways that Organizations can get involved helping refugees.

New solutions must be found for old problems as new refugees arrive from non-western cultures. By understanding the scope of the Resettlement Program and coordinating and minimizing overlaps of services, VRRP and non-profit organizations in the community can focus on their strengths and maximize their impact.

Current Partners
We have partnerships with ReCycle North, Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, The Possibility Shop, Bike Recycle Vermont, The O’Brien Community Center and many others.

Opportunities to Partner
We are looking for more organizations to partner in our work to give refugees the tools to become self-sufficient.

Learn more by contacting Laurie Stavrand at 802-338-4627 or lstavrand@uscrivt.org.