Our institutional location provides us with an incredible opportunity to interact with and minister to immigrants who, through persecution, oppression, war, and political unrest in their native country, find themselves here in the city of Chicago.

Friends of Refugees

Friends of Refugees is a partnership with World Relief - Chicago (a refugee resettlement agency) to help meet the needs of refugees in the local community and give students the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with refugees of varying backgrounds.

The Friends of Refugee group also strives to be sensitive to the needs of refugees in other ways. Some volunteers are tutors in the schools; others will help collect winter clothing for refugees, etc. There is a lot of room for expansion in this ministry.

Focus: Pairing students with refugee families to help support them in their new lives in several aspects. Student volunteers can help the families by:

1. Providing in home tutoring services

2. Being “cultural brokers” (helping them understand and adapt to the American culture)

3. Learning from and appreciating the family’s life and culture. Some examples of what a volunteer might do with their family are
     · read to the children
     · teach them how to use their oven (baking cakes, etc)
     · help with homework
     · teach a musical instrument skill
     · take the children to the park (possibly with other refugee families)
     · helping the parents learn about how to use public transportation and
       other local community resources
     · make crafts with the families
     · going on a field trip with other refugee families

Time Commitment: Students are paired alone or with a partner (who can visit the families together or separately) volunteers visit their families at least once a week, making an effort to keep in touch with their families during breaks (by sending post cards, calling them to see how they’re doing, etc). Attendance of extra activities (field trips, dinners, etc) is encouraged.

Site Requirements: Background check must be submitted to World Relief

Training: the development of a training session is in process with World Relief. This volunteer opportunity is particularly beneficial for those interested in learning about the refugee experience, particularly about the refugee community in Chicago. Students who want to develop cross cultural relationships will benefit from this program.

Majors: Sociology, education, cross-cultural studies, ministry, and global studies

Site Coordinator: Emily Nothnagel
World Relief Contact: Richelle Haines