Volunteers are the means by which refugees receive friendship, care, and services from Global Neighborhood. Each refugee family is paired with one or two volunteers (small groups of friends or family are welcome, too!). Both the volunteer and refugee family commit to spending time with each other, building relationships that are both mutual and supportive of the refugee’s transition into American culture.

The main focus of a volunteer’s work is to build a relationship with a refugee family. This is done best through spending time with the family, asking questions, and getting to know them. Global Neighborhood believes that regular visits at a family’s house facilitate deeper relationships.

Relationship is also formed by assisting refugees with their physical needs. Volunteers will likely help their families understand their new culture by going through their mail with them or helping them prepare for and meet appointments with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and medical services. Volunteers will often offer themselves as resources for any questions that their family might have. These questions may range from transactions at the grocery store, to problems with the bus system, to resumes, job searches, the internet, or local etiquette. Our volunteers are linguistic and cultural ambassadors to and for refugees.

Get Involved

Check out the below opportunities to volunteer with Global Neighborhood!

Long-Term Opportunities

Volunteer with a Family

Global Neighborhood requires a full calendar year commitment for those interested in volunteering with a refugee family. These volunteers are expected to visit the refugee family at least once every other week, and work to engage in a mutual and genuine relationship with a family. Interested? Please click on the below link and complete the application. You will be contacted via email for an informal interview meeting shortly.

Global Neighborhood Volunteer Application

*Please note: All perspective volunteers must attend a Global Neighborhood Volunteer Training before they begin volunteering with a refugee family. 

Next Volunteer Training:

• Saturday, March 24th @ New Community Church (1003 E. Trent Ave). 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. RSVP to Amy- amy@global-neighborhood.org.

Short-Term and Minimal Time Opportunities:

Contact Amy Hendricks at amy@global-neighborhood.org if you are interested in any of the following opportunities.

Collect Produce Boxes

Global Neighborhood Thrift is always in need of medium-sized produce boxes with lids. You can retrieve these boxes from any grocery store for FREE.

Office Cleaning

Global Neighborhood staff are always busy! Help us help others better by keeping us organized and clean. Our offices are located at 108 N. Washington, Suite 415. Vacuuming, dusting, and organizing would be appreciated!

Volunteer at Global Neighborhood Thrift

Once a month, volunteers gather at Global Neighborhood Thrift to help sort donations and clean our store. If you are interested in being added to the volunteer list, please send an email to Amy- amy@global-neighborhood.org.

Next Global Neighborhood Thrift Sorting Gatherings:

• Thursday, February 23rd 7-9 p.m. @ Global Neighborhood Thrift (902 W. Inidana)- RSVP to Amy at amy@global-neighborhood.org, if you are interested.

Resources

We at Global Neighborhood deeply value and appreciate all our volunteers. We are committed to providing adequate resources and support to our volunteers in order that we may effectively help meet the needs and desires of the refugee community in Spokane. Below are some resources to help you along the way:

Testimonials

Here are some things that volunteers have said about their experience with Global Neighborhood:

“This experience has pushed me out of my comfort zone to really get involved with people who are much different than me. I no longer am intimidated, but now I am able to communicate with people from other countries. It is an important command in scripture to care for the poor, the needy, and the alien.”

“I have realized how interconnected needs are. The simple, basic need for relationship and fellowship is one that is often overlooked… Addressing this need can create solutions to many other burdens. Global Neighborhood has helped me to learn how to do this in practical ways.”

“I would highly recommend the experience of working with Global Neighborhood and with a refugee family. Although it may be scary at first, the initial discomfort is well worth the relationships formed, knowledge obtained, and experience gained.”

“We get to be in their houses, play with their kids, and eat their food. It is wonderful! The material needs of the family are easy to spot, though not always “fixable.” The emotional and relational needs are also apparent, but take time and commitment on my part to develop a relationship with them. The time is so worth it!”

“I love working with Global Neighborhood because the emphasis is on personal relationships. At first it’s a little awkward hanging out with someone that you do not know, with a facade that you are separated from them by culture, language, interests, and aspirations; but ultimately I’ve realized that people are people. I realized that after a couple of months of working with Global Neighborhood, I was no longer volunteering but rather experiencing life with a good friend.”

“Volunteering at Global Neighborhood has been an amazing experience for me. I have learned a lot about other cultures and created freindships with people who I am honored to call my friends. There is such a great need for these refugee people to be shown the love of Christ as we welcome them into the American culture.”