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American Friend - Greater Portland area

Related Program: Refugee & Immigration Services

80 Sherman St.
Greater Portland, Maine

Each American Friend Volunteer (AFV) is matched with a refugee family to help and support their integration into a new community. AFVs help reinforce key cultural orientation topics and help family members practice new skills, like riding the bus, walking to school, doing laundry, taking out the trash, etc. AFVs often form lasting bonds with families during the course of their relationship. This is a deeply rewarding position and is perfect for those who are outgoing, enjoy lots of activities, and want to help newcomers  become independent and  self-sufficient. Knowing another language is useful but not required.

Key Responsibilities: 

Impact of Opportunity:  

The American Friend volunteer will improve the quality of life of refugees by helping them make permanent connections to their new home.  The American Friend volunteer will embody the CCM core value of “hospitality” by “welcoming the most vulnerable and in need to an environment of dignity, safety, warmth and a sense of being home.” The efforts of the American Friend volunteer will help refugees build a safe life in Maine by improving connectedness to their local community at large and to the local immigrant community. The efforts of the American Friend volunteer will help refugees become independent and self-sufficient. 

 

Qualifications & Skills Required: 

 

Training Offered:  

 

Time Commitment & Schedule: 2 hours per week for a minimum of 12 months. 

 

Benefits: 

 

Program Contact: Linca Vanessa Iradukunda, RIS Volunteer Coordinator, 207-653-2491 

 

Updated July 2023: TEM 

Click Here to Apply Online

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