Evacuated Afghans arriving in Sacramento now: Be a part of this historic effort

If you have trouble reading this email, click here to view as webpage

Evacuated Afghan refugees arriving into Sacramento now - volunteers needed to support this historic effort

Having trouble viewing this email? View as Webpage

Greetings!

As many of you know, COVID-19 forced us to suspend all volunteer activities through 2020 and into the first half of 2021. During that time, we looked for ways to make the application and sign-up process safer, easier, and more efficient.

We're happy to announce a new system that will make it easier than ever to apply and register for volunteer opportunities with Opening Doors!

Just in time!

August is turning out to be our busiest month of refugee arrivals in Opening Doors history, with over 150 individuals arriving in these next few weeks.

Most of our arriving families are Afghan evacuees who are finishing their screening in Fort Lee before traveling to Sacramento. The newly arrived Afghans who primarily worked as interpreters, and their families, qualified for visas under the special immigrant visa program set up to help those who risked their lives for U.S. troops over two decades of war.

We are here to welcome these individuals and their families - will you join us?

You can help support this historic effort to keep our promise to our Afghan allies by applying to volunteer with Opening Doors.

The most urgent need right now

Right now, we're in urgent need of volunteers to assist with greeting newcomers at the airport and transporting them to their destination here in Sacramento.

This activity requires volunteers to undergo background checks as part of the application process, so if you are interested and able to assist with this activity - we encourage you to start the process today!

Afghan evacuees are arriving almost daily through the end of August.

APPLY TO ASSIST WITH AIRPORT ARRIVALS

What's new?

Streamlined application process now completely online - no more emailing documents back and forth.

Create a volunteer profile - now, through the application process, you'll create a profile with your availability and preferences that can be updated at any time simply by logging into your account and updating your profile.

Background checks administered independently online - for new volunteers, you can now easily complete this task with confidence.

Volunteer Orientations now happening via Zoom - scheduled weekly, you can easily attend orientation from the comfort of your own home.

Volunteer activities reorganized - we've developed two tiers of community volunteerism for those who want to get involved immediately. Read on to learn more about each tier.

New resource:

Volunteer Handbook

New Volunteer Handbook puts important information at your fingertips.

What's included?

Descriptions of all opportunities
Welcome Kit lists
Community Sponsorships
Code of Conduct Pledge
Volunteer Policies & Procedures

VIEW VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK

Addition of entry-level opportunities make

it easier to make a difference - right now

Welcoming Volunteers will support staff as they prepare for refugee arrivals. While you won't directly interact with clients, your contributions play a big role in helping newcomers thrive in the U.S.

Welcoming Volunteer assist with:

Welcome Kits
Apartment Set-Ups
Furniture Movers
Special Event support
Inventory sorting

Background check NOT required for service. Look for the (WV) after each area of volunteer interest and check the box to express interest in the above activities.

Good Neighbor Volunteers will support a newly arrived refugee family's ongoing transition to life in the U.S. through direct interaction with the client and their families.

Good Neighbor Volunteer assist with:

Airport Pickups
Client Transportation
Tutoring, Mentorship
Miscellaneous office and/or case management support

Background check is required to register for these activities. Just check the box for each activity with (GN) in the Areas of Interest section of the application.

VOLUNTEER WITH OPENING DOORS

A message for our current vetted volunteers

We're so glad to welcome you back!

We're especially grateful to you for your continued support of newcomers to Sacramento and it is our sincere hope that, through this new system, we can ensure your participation is as easy as it is rewarding!

We invite you to continue the important work of welcome by creating a profile on our new system, which includes updating your contact information, your interests, and your availability through this new system.

Already completed a background check?

As you answer the questions to create your profile, you'll be asked to enter the date of your last background check. If you can't remember the exact date - no problem! Please just enter your best guess. We will verify the date on our end and reach out if we have any questions.

CREATE YOUR VOLUNTEER PROFILE

Welcome Kits:

The easiest way to share the warmth of welcome

This Welcoming Volunteer opportunity is a great way to affect the future of a refugee family before they even arrive!

Resettlement agencies like Opening Doors prepare for a newcomer's arrival by securing a place to live and furnishing it with essential household goods like towels, bedding, pots and pans, cooking utensils, plates, etc.

The purchase of these items are billed against each client's discretionary resettlement funds. When volunteers like you sponsor the task of collecting, packaging, and donating these items you're not only furnishing a refugee's first home in the U.S., you're giving these families a better financial head start.

Welcome Kits are the easiest way to make a big impact! We've simplified the process to collect and donate welcome kits. Learn more!

LEARN MORE ABOUT WELCOME KITS

Quick links to help you get started

Everything a prospective volunteer will need to get started is listed on our Volunteer webpage, but for quick reference, we've also linked to relevant information here.

View and download Opening Doors 2021 Volunteer Handbook.

DOWNLOAD HANDBOOK

For new and current volunteers, click this button to apply by creating a profile so that you're ready to go when new volunteer opportunities that meet your availability and interests arise.

APPLY TO VOLUNTEER

Once you create your profile, you can self-register for our new and improved Volunteer Orientation - now happening online!

Once you've attended online Volunteer Orientation, you're ready to serve! Take a look at all our ongoing volunteer opportunities here.

VIEW OPPORTUNITIES

Do you have questions or need help with creating a profile?

Feel free to email us by clicking the button and we'll do our best to help you get started.

EMAIL OPENING DOORS

Thank you again for your interest in supporting newcomers on their path to self-sufficiency and belonging and we look forward to connecting with you soon!

openingdoorsinc.org