Needs From: Volunteer Memphis

At World Relief, we teach newly arrived immigrants how to thrive in our community. One of the key stability factors is learning English. We have English classes for newcomers on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We are looking for someone to drive a 15-passenger van to pick up and drop off English students to take them to and from English class. The shift is 8am-9:25a and/or 11:30a-12:45p. World Relief will provide the van, and the route will stay the same week-to-week.

Volunteers must pass a background check and motor vehicle records check. Jumpstart your onboarding by doing the short term/long term volunteer application in our volunteer portal. A Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to you.

At World Relief, we teach newly arrived immigrants how to thrive in our community. One of the key stability factors is learning English. We have English classes for newcomers on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We are looking for someone to drive a 15-passenger van to pick up and drop off English students to take them to and from English class. The shift is 8am-9:25a and/or 11:30a-12:45p. World Relief will provide the van, and the route will stay the same week-to-week.

Volunteers must pass a background check and motor vehicle records check. Jumpstart your onboarding by doing the short term/long term volunteer application in our volunteer portal. A Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to you.

When the US Dept. of State invites a refugee to resettle in Memphis, World Relief is the primary agency that receives them and supports their resettlement journey. One of the most common and challenging barriers to integration is lack of transportation. We are looking for volunteers who can commit to driving refugees to and from our office for meetings and appointments.

Volunteers are needed Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm. There is no language requirement. Volunteers are called on, on an as-needed basis. There are some regularly scheduled driving shifts as well.

Our clients live in the city of Memphis, so volunteers should be comfortable driving on Memphis streets and highways. Volunteers must be able to pass a motor vehicle records check, have a valid drivers license, car insurance, and follow all rules of the road to keep themselves and clients safe. Volunteers may drive their own vehicle or a World Relief 15-passenger van or minivan.

Volunteer Onboarding is required before volunteering:

The volunteer onboarding steps are required before you can begin as a volunteer. These onboarding steps help you get to know World Relief, help us get to know you, and help protect you and our clients from harm.  Check your email for a message from your Volunteer Coordinator with next steps. Onboarding includes a short application, online workshop, background check, and local orientation. You can jumpstart your onboarding by filling out the short term/long term volunteer application in the World Relief Portal.

World Relief's mission is to boldly engage the world's greatest crises in partnership with the local church and community. Here in Memphis, World Relief serves refugee families who are rebuilding their lives in the 901.

World Relief Memphis is seeking volunteers to interpret English and Spanish, Arabic, Dari, or Swahili. Interpretation is used during meetings between staff and clients; in large group settings (Ex: client workshops and cultural orientations); and other scenarios like helping clients open bank accounts, work on resumes, fill out job applications, and learn digital literacy.

The time commitment varies depending on the scenario. Once onboarded, you would be added to a list of people who have offered interpretation. Staff will contact you when there is a need for an interpreter.

Benefits to the Volunteer:

Volunteer Onboarding is required before volunteering:

The volunteer onboarding steps are required before you can begin as a volunteer. These onboarding steps help you get to know World Relief, help us get to know you, and help protect you and our clients from harm.  Check your email for a message from your Volunteer Coordinator with next steps. Onboarding includes a short application, online workshop, background check, reference check, and live orientation. You can jumpstart your onboarding by filling out the short term/long term volunteer application in the World Relief Portal.

World Relief is looking for male and female mentors. Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred but not required.

The Youth Mentoring Program at World Relief Memphis is designed to pair young refugee participants with mentors from the community who are dedicated to helping them identify and achieve their short-term and long-term goals.

Mentors walk alongside refugee and immigrant youth ages 15-24 with the goal of developing mutually transformative relationships. The youth set their life, career, or educational goals and mentors meet regularly with the mentees to provide support, find resources and build relationship.

This program is focused on promoting positive civic and social engagement.

Men are especially needed at this time, but women may apply as well, with the understanding that there may be a waiting period before being matched with a mentee.

Time Commitment

Mentors commit to meeting together every other week for 6-12 months. High school aged mentees and their mentors meet every other Wednesday night in a staff-led group setting. Young adult mentees and their mentors meet 4 hours per month on their own time and location to discuss progress with goals.

Volunteer Onboarding is required before volunteering:

The volunteer onboarding steps are required before you can begin as a volunteer. These onboarding steps help you get to know World Relief, help us get to know you, and help protect you and our clients from harm.  Check your email for a message from your Volunteer Coordinator with next steps. Onboarding includes a short application, online workshop, background check, reference check, and live orientation. You can jumpstart your onboarding by filling out the short term/long term volunteer application in the World Relief Portal.