Ways to Help RefugeeNet

Visit a tutoring session for refugee children from 3:15 – 5.15 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday; join us on a Thursday morning, bagging fresh produce for distribution to the homes of especially needy refugee families; stay afterward to meet refugees who come to collect food and problem-solve; arrange to go out on a Thursday early afternoon, to deliver food to a part of San Diego you have never seen before; arrange to go out with a staff member to visit a family.

These are just some of the activities RefugeeNet volunteers engage in. Our tutors are all volunteers. The opportunity to practice English one-on-one, with someone who really listens, is a wonderful gift to the eager learner. It sometimes leads to becoming a big brother, or big sister to a refugee, as he or she grows and goes off to college, or starts a career.

When you visit a family, and really listen, you begin to understand hopes and concerns for the future. When you meet these newcomers, you will easily find ways you and your family can relate to theirs. The most valuable gift of all is friendship.

Other ways to help the RefugeeNet:

• Gather new or gently used jackets and shoes before the weather turns cold, and summer clothes in the spring.
• Collect pots, pans, stock pots, bowls, knives, forks and especially spoons, glasses, jugs, teapots, sugar bowls, chopping boards, kitchen knives, wooden spoons, small microwaves, radios, bed pillows, queen and twin sheets, pillow cases, blankets, plates, cups, and mugs.
• Let us know of available apartments and entry-level jobs.
• Get on our list of people with special training (law, medicine, fundraising, etc.) who can advise us when refugees have issues.
• Raise funds, make a financial donation or work with your church to pledge a monthly donation online: refugee-net.org/donations. RefugeeNet does not receive federal funds.

Your gift, and especially your time will make a wonderful difference.