Open Doors for Refugees is a volunteer-driven organization. Every person who steps up to help is doing a large part!
Please email [email protected] if you’re interested in volunteering!
Our needs are always changing. If none of the current opportunities match your interests, please still let us know what interests you and we may be able to match your talents with a current or future need.
There will likely be opportunities to use your skills in the future, either with us or one of our partner organizations.
Current Volunteer Needs
Childminding Volunteers
Open Doors is looking for childminding volunteers for the following sessions in the Fall, beginning Tuesday, September 15:
- Madison International Partners: A Tuesday and Thursday morning class (10:00 to 11:30 AM), as well as a Thursday evening class (6:00 to 7:30 PM).
- The UW: A monthly Saturday afternoon class (1:30-3:30 PM); please note that, to honor the cultural background of class participants, we can only accept female volunteers for this opportunity.
This is an opportunity to support the language learning of refugee women by caring for their young children while they take classes. No official experience necessary, just patience and a love for children. If you are interested, please email [email protected] with your availability.
Get in Touch
Open Doors for Refugees is a volunteer-driven organization, and we exist entirely on the strengths and efforts of our volunteers.
To get involved, please either use the form on this page or contact our volunteer coordinator at [email protected], and indicate within your email which team(s) you are interested in.
Our volunteer coordinator will then connect you with the appropriate team leaders and, if necessary, start a background check for you. If you have a particular skill set that you believe would be of benefit to Open Doors for Refugees, please indicate that within your message as well.
We are always happy to try and find creative ways to leverage the unique skills of our volunteers!
Background Checks
To maintain the safety and security of the populations we work with, all volunteers who are 18 or older and will have direct contact with refugees or sensitive information must complete a background check. We contract with Sterling Volunteers, a secure online agency, to perform all background checks. More information about Sterling Volunteers can be found on their website: www.sterlingvolunteers.com. Individuals involved in the transportation team are required to undergo an additional driving record check, which is done in conjunction with the background check.
Other Ways You Can Help
Please email [email protected] if you think you can help in any of the following ways!
(or if you have any questions)
Employ Refugees
Greatest need: Entry level positions for persons with limited English proficiency.
Partner With Us
If you or your group or organization would like to discuss a joint project or event, we would too.
Provide Housing
If you own rental properies, we’d be happy to start a conversation.
Legal Assistance
Do you represent a law firm that would like to work pro-bono for refugees in need of legal assistance?
Advocate
One of the best ways to help Open Doors for Refugees is by advocating for refugees and their rights. You may read Open Doors’ response to President Trump’s executive order here.
Here are some great resources to learn about advocating for refugees the local, state, national, and international levels.
- Office of Refugee Resettlement: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr
- Refugee Admissions Program: https://www.state.gov/refugee-admissions/
- UN Refugee Agency: http://www.unhcr.org/en-us
- Welcoming Refugees: http://www.welcomingrefugees.org/
- Refugees International: https://www.refugeesinternational.org/
Thank you for your interest, support, and engagement. We hope that you find any involvement with Open Doors for Refugees to be a gratifying and enriching experience.