Family Mentor for New Americans

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Purpose and Impact:

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville Refugee and Immigration Services provide a wide array of programs to help newly-arrived refugees acquire skills they need to acclimate to American culture and responsibilities. However, adjusting to a new culture and set of expectations is a difficult process, and many of our families require additional support to do so successfully. Oftentimes, families have to adapt to an entirely new understanding of daily life, learning the very basics of household functioning and metropolitan living. As a Family Mentor, you (and your family) will be matched with a refugee family to provide them basic instruction of American living, help orient them to the Nashville community, and develop a trusting relationship. Understanding "the basics" is an indispensable component of successful resettlement and can go a long way toward making families feel safer, happier, and more confident in their new home.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Practice basic English to improve their sense of purpose and place in the community
• Call or visit the family once a week to build a trusting, friendly relationship
• Take them on outings to learn about Nashville and American culture
• Offer instruction on basic household functioning (how to do laundry, wash dishes, store food, etc.), as needed
• Help them with common errands

This role is perfect for volunteers who like to serve autonomously and direct their own projects and goals. Though volunteers are welcome individually, this is also an excellent opportunity to engage your family in welcoming refugees to the community. For example, if you have teen-aged children, we can match you with a family that also has children of a similar age. Together with our clients, you can build community, learn about other cultures, and develop a new sense of what it means to be an American and a Nashvillian.