The Agency for New Americans relies heavily on the support of our volunteers. Some positions become available more often than others; however, we are always looking for people who want to help the refugee population and believe in matching volunteers’ unique talents to the needs of ANA at any given time.
All volunteers must go through an orientation and background check before they can start volunteering. Please create a profile and sign up through Better Impact.
Once you have created a profile you will be able to sign up for a volunteer orientation. During your orientation you will learn how clients arrive at the agency, the services provided, and how volunteers fit into that larger picture. Additionally, you will learn about current volunteer needs. Currently, we ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months for most placements.
If you have questions about volunteering, please call 208-338-0033 ext. 0161 or email our Assistant Director and Volunteer Coordinator, Mark, at mhomco@jannus.org.
All volunteers must go through an orientation and background check before they can start volunteering. Please create a profile and sign up through Better Impact.
Once you have created a profile you will be able to sign up for a volunteer orientation. During your orientation you will learn how clients arrive at the agency, the services provided, and how volunteers fit into that larger picture. Additionally, you will learn about current volunteer needs. Currently, we ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months for most placements.
If you have questions about volunteering, please call 208-338-0033 ext. 0161 or email our Assistant Director and Volunteer Coordinator, Mark, at mhomco@jannus.org.
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"I volunteer because I know how bewildering it can be to move to a foreign place and not know the culture or customs." -M |
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Long-term Volunteer Opportunities
AIRPORT ARRIVALS
Join us at the airport to greet our newest arrivals when they first land in Boise! You can make welcome signs, bring flowers, or bring a smile to help welcome Boise's newest residents as they arrive. (No balloons, please!)
APARTMENT SET UP
Setup apartments for new arrived refugees. You would be setting up kitchens, making beds and generally making the apartment look nice and ready for the refugees to live in. You can meet at the apartment and help setup everything, or you can assist the donations manager with the heavy lifting and moving furniture and items into the apartment. Move-ins typically happen during normal business hours. Case managers schedule the move with the apartment management and the donations manager lets volunteers know the timing. Move-ins scheduling often happens quickly with the current housing situation, so this is a great opportunity for those with flexible weekday schedules!
BUS TRAINING
Volunteers most needed. Great for volunteers with a flexible schedule during weekdays. Explore Boise public transportation with a newly arrived refugee! We need volunteers to help clients use the Boise bus system. Volunteers will meet the client at their home and show them how to walk to the nearest bus stop. Then, the volunteer will ride the bus with the client to different locations such as the English Language Center, jobs and appointments in order to familiarize the client with the bus routes.
DRIVERS
Volunteers most needed. Great for volunteers with a flexible schedule during weekdays. We need help transporting clients to a multitude of appointments within their first two weeks of arrival. You may get asked in advance, or the day of the appointment. This includes appointments at the agency, Social Security, apartments, and the English Language Center. Rarely do we schedule drivers for evenings or weekends.
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
Provide information, resources, support and services for clients during their employment search. This position may involve any of the following: making phone calls to prospective employers, helping clients complete their application and/or creating a resume, conducting mock job interviews to prepare for the “real thing,” and providing transportation to interviews.
FAMILY MENTOR
Build relationships with refugees giving each family a special friend to help them learn the ins and outs of American life. A mentor meets at least once a week to help with English language practice, grocery shopping, paying bills, school orientations, and cultural sharing; such as, having a picnic, going to the zoo, watching a movie, or eating pizza. The first month or two will mainly be helping the family troubleshoot problems that arise and helping them feel comfortable in their new home. This is a great option for someone who has limited availability during business hours and is available evenings and weekends (as our clients are usually busy during the day), and willingness to volunteer weekly for at least 6 months.
FRONT DESK
Are you a wiz with computers? Do you like being the first person visitors see at the office?
Help at the front desk greeting refugees and answering calls. Assist Case Managers with paperwork and filing. Work on promotional and outreach materials. There is a plethora of options available to help in the office during our regular business hours.
Help at the front desk greeting refugees and answering calls. Assist Case Managers with paperwork and filing. Work on promotional and outreach materials. There is a plethora of options available to help in the office during our regular business hours.
REACH Youth Mentor
The Refugees Empowered to Achieve (REACH) Program gives our community the unique opportunity to mentor refugee youth ages 15-24 on a consistent basis. As a mentor, you commit to spending 4-6 hours per month during which you help your mentee work towards reaching their pre-identified goals.
Visit REACH Youth Mentor programs page for more information on how you can participate!
Visit REACH Youth Mentor programs page for more information on how you can participate!
WOMEN'S GROUP
Volunteers needed. Great for volunteers with a consistent weekly schedule. Promote a safe environment for women to meet and socialize! Female volunteers are needed to help with childcare, transport women to the meeting and help setup/take down supplies. Women's group occurs weekly on Tuesday and Friday afternoons.
Single Event Activities
DONATION DRIVES
A great option for a youth group, church group, Eagle Scouts, or social group project. We only resettle in Boise, so if you are too far away to commit to volunteering, please consider a donation drive.
hOSTING SOCIAL EVENTS FOR REFUGEES
Host an event with your church or organization- A great way to celebrate a holiday.
Plan and host a social gathering for some refugees. These gatherings could be holiday themed, or any other type of social event. You would need to provide transportation to/from the event. The holidays are a great way to introduce refugees to our culture. We will set you up with some refugee families who would be interested in coming. These activities can build long lasting relationships.
Plan and host a social gathering for some refugees. These gatherings could be holiday themed, or any other type of social event. You would need to provide transportation to/from the event. The holidays are a great way to introduce refugees to our culture. We will set you up with some refugee families who would be interested in coming. These activities can build long lasting relationships.
hELP WITH OUR FUNDRAISERS
Become a part of the fundraising team and help ANA organize fundraising events.
Make a difference in your community by using your creative talents to fund sustainable resources for refugees. Learn more about becoming a fundraiser for the Agency on our fundraising page!
Make a difference in your community by using your creative talents to fund sustainable resources for refugees. Learn more about becoming a fundraiser for the Agency on our fundraising page!
Service Learning for Students
SERVICE LEARNING
There are a few slots left for Service Learning projects at our front desk. We ask for a minimum of 20 hours for the semester. You would be responsible for greeting clients and answering the phone, helping everyone connect with the staff member they need. If it is slow, we would also give you small projects around the office. You would be assigned a weekly time and there would be an expectation that you would commit to coming weekly for the semester. We have times available during our regular office hours, 8:30-5:00, M-F. If you are interested in this project, please call or email Mark at 208-995-0161 or mhomco@jannus.org.
