Opportunities From: VolunteerME Southern Maine

Bernard, Leonnelle and their child (girl - 1) live in Portland and are from Burkina Faso. Leonnelle is a nurse and Bernard is a project manager and they like walking, music and movies, shopping, cooking, learning English, and reading. They need legal help as well as assistance with finding an apartment and transportation. They speak French, Lingala, Moore, Portuguese and some English. 

They have just moved into a new apartment in Portland. They need help getting items for their new apartment and settling into the community. 

What does mentoring look like? That’s up to you and the family. In less complicated times, we like our mentors to take a more hands-on approach to help mentees integrate into the community- such as including them in family outings & introducing them to the area. Currently, mentoring can be done while social distancing and some support can be provided remotely. Checking in regularly, sending along translated info regarding COVID-19, helping mentees locate resources- these are all things that can be done while maintaining safe distance if this is preferred by mentor and mentees. We still ask that anyone applying to mentor through WTS live local to the Portland area, so that you can begin an in-person relationship with your mentees once you feel safe doing so.  

Through Welcoming the Stranger, mentors have access to a large network of individuals and groups already engaged with the immigrant community who can offer support and guidance if specific needs — housing, schooling, medical care, etc. — arise. As a mentor, your primary task is simply to be there for newly arrived folks who would otherwise feel alone in a strange world. You don’t have to be an expert, just a friend.

Description

What does mentoring look like? That’s up to you and the family. In less complicated times, we like our mentors to take a more hands-on approach to help mentees integrate into the community- such as including them in family outings & introducing them to the area. Currently, mentoring can be done while social distancing and some support can be provided remotely. Checking in regularly, sending along translated info regarding COVID-19, helping mentees locate resources- these are all things that can be done while maintaining safe distance. We still ask that anyone applying to mentor through WTS live local to the Portland area, so that you can begin an in-person relationship with your mentees once you feel safe doing so. 

Through Welcoming the Stranger, mentors have access to a large network of individuals and groups already engaged with the immigrant community who can offer support and guidance if specific needs — housing, schooling, medical care, etc. — arise. As a mentor, your primary task is simply to be there for newly arrived folks who would otherwise feel alone in a strange world. You don’t have to be an expert, just a friend.   Specifically, Welcoming the Stranger is actively looking for volunteers to support a couple from the Ivory Coast. They enjoy teaching, learning, reading and music. They are in need of housing, winter clothing, practicing English and legal assistance. They speak French, Spanish, and some English.

What does mentoring look like? That’s up to you and the family. In less complicated times, we like our mentors to take a more hands-on approach to help mentees integrate into the community- such as including them in family outings & introducing them to the area. Currently, mentoring can be done while social distancing and some support can be provided remotely. Checking in regularly, sending along translated info regarding COVID-19, helping mentees locate resources- these are all things that can be done while maintaining safe distance. We still ask that anyone applying to mentor through WTS live local to the Portland area, so that you can begin an in-person relationship with your mentees once you feel safe doing so. 

  Through Welcoming the Stranger, mentors have access to a large network of individuals and groups already engaged with the immigrant community who can offer support and guidance if specific needs — housing, schooling, medical care, etc. — arise. As a mentor, your primary task is simply to be there for newly arrived folks who would otherwise feel alone in a strange world. You don’t have to be an expert, just a friend.   Specifically, Welcoming the Stranger is actively looking for volunteers willing to enter into a mentoring “friendship” with an asylum-seeking family in Portland. The father is from Angola and has a background in mechanics and logistics.  The mother is from Haiti and has experience in cosmetology, housekeeping, and childcare. Together they have a wonderful 1 year old son. They both speak French and are learning English quickly- and would love a mentor who can help them progress further. They are also hoping for help with navigating housing & general support within their community for themselves and their son.    Interested in making a difference? We have a list of families waiting for mentors! Go to https://wtsmaine.com/mentors/#

What does mentoring look like? That’s up to you and the family. In less complicated times, we like our mentors to take a more hands-on approach to help mentees integrate into the community- such as including them in family outings & introducing them to the area. Currently, mentoring can be done while social distancing and some support can be provided remotely. Checking in regularly, sending along translated info regarding COVID-19, helping mentees locate resources- these are all things that can be done while maintaining safe distance. We still ask that anyone applying to mentor through WTS live local to the Portland area, so that you can begin an in-person relationship with your mentees once you feel safe doing so.    Through Welcoming the Stranger, mentors have access to a large network of individuals and groups already engaged with the immigrant community who can offer support and guidance if specific needs — housing, schooling, medical care, etc. — arise. As a mentor, your primary task is simply to be there for newly arrived folks who would otherwise feel alone in a strange world. You don’t have to be an expert, just a friend.   Specifically, Welcoming the Stranger is actively looking for a volunteer to enter into a mentoring “friendship” with an asylum-seeking family in Portland. This mother & her infant daughter are from Angola. She is hoping to be matched with a mentee who can help her navigate the immigration process and find community resources for her and her daughter. She speaks French and very little English.    Interested in making a difference? We have a list of families waiting for mentors! Go to https://wtsmaine.com/mentors/#

Welcoming the Stranger is actively looking for a volunteer willing to enter into a mentoring “friendship” with Maxime.  He lives in South Portland and is from Rwanda. He speaks Kinyarwanda and some English. (Jul 20, 2020)

Description: What does mentoring look like? That’s up to you and the family. Generally, mentors will take a hands-on approach to help mentees integrate into the community- such as including them in family outings & introducing them to the area. However, with so many folks currently practicing social distancing, mentoring can look a little different. Checking in regularly by phone or email, sending along info about local resources & advocating for your mentees when needed - these are all things that can be done while maintaining distance, if you choose to do so. 

Through Welcoming the Stranger, mentors have access to a large network of individuals and groups already engaged with the immigrant community who can offer support and guidance if specific needs - housing, schooling, medical care, etc.- arise. As a mentor, your primary task is simply to be there for newly arrived folks who would otherwise feel alone in a strange world. You don’t have to be an expert, just a friend.

Interested in making a difference? We have a list of families waiting for mentors!

Go to https://wtsmaine.com/mentors/#