Volunteer – WorldRelief

We all want to make a difference in the world. It’s part of how we are designed. At World Relief, we believe making a difference is a two-way street. Over the past 40+ years, we’ve been guiding people like you to volunteering in ways that make a lasting impact. You can bring your gifts, abilities, and interests, and we will help you connect and walk alongside families and individuals as they rebuild their lives in Western New York.

Look through our volunteer opportunities below to see where your gifts, abilities, and interests align. We are committed to your thorough onboarding, training, and support as a volunteer, so please review the onboarding steps, commitment, and location for each role. Learn more about World Relief, our mission and volunteer expectations and guidelines in our Volunteer Handbook here.

Note: Due to the high number of volunteer applications we are receiving, volunteer onboarding and responses may be delayed. Thanks for your patience!

Volunteer Opportunities

Home Team

Conversation Partner

Transportation Team

Transportation volunteers assist clients with their transportation needs by driving them to important appointments, classes, or resources. Additionally, Transportation Volunteers will often be asked to help clients at the destination to which they are driving, such as assisting at a grocery store, navigating a doctor’s appointment, or advocating at a governmental office.

Click here to learn more!

Good Neighbor Team

Description: A Good Neighbor Team (GNT) is a small group of volunteers (preferably 6-8) from a local church or organization that partners with World Relief to welcome and walk alongside a newly arrived refugee family. We want each refugee who arrives in the US to feel the warm welcome of the local church and community. To accomplish this, GNTs will partner with World Relief to assist with practical resettlement tasks aimed at empowering the family to move towards self-sufficiency, while simultaneously building mutually transforming, long-lasting relationships.

Goal: To assist with practical resettlement tasks aimed at empowering the family to move towards self-sufficiency, while simultaneously building meaningful, long-lasting relationships.

Check out our Good Neighbor Team Overview guide for more information!

Once you have a team, fill out a Good Neighbor Team Interest Form and send it to our Volunteer Coordinator, Eric Lintala, at elintala@wr.org.

One-Time Service Projects

Description: We occasionally have opportunities for churches, businesses, schools, and other groups to volunteer with a project, donation drive, or other event. If your group is interested in a service project, please have your group leader fill out this interest form!

*We will reach out to you regarding your Group soon.

Host-Home

Resettlement Host Homes provide a safe place for refugees to rest and wait for permanent housing in the U.S. They can help orient new arrivals in the community and make them feel welcome. Resettlement Hosting normally lasts 1-2 weeks; at that point they move into their own home

Please fill out our interest form to begin the process of becoming a host home in Western New York!

Click here for Host Home FAQs!

Cultural Companion

Airport Welcome Team

Greet a new family at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport and bring them to their new home!

You will be provided with arrival information, and you're encouraged to bring welcome signs. At the family's new home, you'll provide basic instructions for their first night. A Case Worker will be on call during your time volunteering, and will see the new family the following day during the "First Day Home Visit."

Interested? For more information, email Elisabeth at estojkovic@wr.org and begin filling out the Volunteer Application!

Volunteer Onboarding Steps

Within the Volunteer Portal, please complete the following:

1. Volunteer Application (one per volunteer please).

2. US Programs E-Learning Volunteer Orientation for Western NY. This 45 minute e-course gives an overview of the work of World Relief, mass displacement and immigration, World Relief's U.S. programs, and next steps for you as a volunteer here in Western NY.

3. RSVP for a live Western NY Orientation. After the Western NY orientation, we will complete the final paperwork with you, including a background check and contacting the references you listed on your volunteer application.

4. Pass the background and drivers' checks. The drivers' checks are only for volunteers who drive.

5. Positive reference check.

After these steps are complete, you will be notified through email that you are ready to begin volunteering! Questions? Please contact Elisabeth at estojkovic@wr.org

I like volunteering because I have met new people, learned many new things, eaten new foods, and learned about the culture of Afghans.

-Sonia, Good Neighbor

I have appreciated helping women progress in their English, getting to know them, and helping them move forward in their transition to life in the U.S.

-Anne, ESL Tutor

"I volunteer because I love getting to know the students more deeply and having the opportunity to serve others."

-Colin, Welcome Club Volunteer