Refugee Christmas Project Volunteer

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Volunteer purpose and impact

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest - Refugee Services has hosted an annual Christmas Project for the past several years which allows churches, faith groups, and community members to sponsor refugee families by purchasing gifts for the holiday season. The purpose is to welcome newly arrived refugee families and to expose them to the culture of the holiday season in the US - as they see neighbors and friends celebrating, we want them to be able to celebrate also.

Responsibilities and key deliverables

The Christmas Project Volunteer will assist with the logistics and organization of the Christmas Project, including:

• Updating the list of churches and community Christmas sponsor groups
• Compiling a list of refugee families that can be sponsored for Christmas, making notes of those who were assigned a co-sponsor group at arrival
• Inviting returning and new groups to sponsor refugee families
• Working with LSS-SW refugee staff, especially case managers, to determine which of their refugee clients will be sponsored and ask if there are any particular gifts/items the families want
• In the weeks before Christmas, assist with the delivery of gifts to apartment complexes
• Assist with sorting gifts that are delivered to the LSS-SW refugee office
• In January follow up with Christmas Sponsors to get list of items purchased, and send a thank-you note

Qualifications

Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and communication skills. Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks of high importance. Ability to communicate cross-culturally, sensitivity to cultural differences. Ability to speak a foreign language a plus.

Working conditions

The volunteer will need to work in the LSS-SW refugee office Monday - Friday between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm. Occasional weekend and evening hours may be necessary for two weeks in early December as the gifts are being delivered. The volunteer will have access to a computer and phone.

Clearances required & training

Advanced Background Clearance required, Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card highly preferred. Must complete a Central Registry background check through the LSS-SW Human Resource Department. Training provided by the Faith and Community Engagement Coordinator.

Location & timeframe

The volunteer must fill hours Mon-Fri 8-4:30 with occasional weekend/evening hours in first two weeks of December.

Start Date: October 2017 End Date: January 31 2018