Be a Friend to a Family

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About Us

At Catholic Charities, our vision is to improve the lives of those we serve, to empower the most vulnerable, and to help reduce poverty through quality, compassionate, and effective human services.

Our Refugee and Immigration Services develops programs, in partnership with refugee and immigrant communities, to promote social bridges and bonds, develop desired skills and cultural knowledge, and encourage US citizenship. Participants work to build the real-life knowledge, attitudes, and skills that they want to achieve success.

We could not do what we do without the help of our volunteers!

While Milwaukee is home to strong refugee and non-refugee communities, many refugees and Americans don’t have the opportunity for meaningful contact. In particular, many refugees come from collective cultures that value spending time together and life in the US feels isolating because of language and other cultural barriers.

Our hope is for volunteer Be-Frienders to build a supportive, friendly, and mutually beneficial relationship with a refugee individual or family in hopes that all participants feel more connected to Milwaukee. Participants commit meet once a week for 1-2 hours for three months. Be-Frienders do this through a variety of activities such as:

• Practicing English
• Visiting neighborhood spots or Milwaukee landmarks
• Helping kids with their homework
• Setting up email accounts
• Knitting/crocheting
• Cooking or sharing meals
• Celebrating birthdays and other holidays
• Connecting parents with their kid’s schools
• Playing games
• Looking for jobs
• Sorting junk mail, bills, and other documents
• Learning some of the refugees language
• Exploring cultural differences

This program is ideal for volunteers excited to meet people from different parts of the world, aren’t easily fazed by language barriers, and are comfortable going with the flow. Participants decide what they want to do together and work together at times and locations convenient for them.