Volunteer

Exodus Refugee Volunteer Opportunities

African client with volunteer mentors. To volunteer to help in any of the following areas, please fill out our online volunteer form.

Teaching English: The success of resettlement largely depends on the refugee's ability to learn the English language. Exodus is looking for volunteers to teach English classes that meet weekly for two hours. Classes are conducted at convenient public locations and occasionally within a refugee's home. All materials and curriculum are supplied. Teaching experience and speaking a second language is not required.
Requirements: Minimum 6 month commitment. Must complete training and class observation. Regular evaluations will be conducted.

Mentoring a family: Mentoring a family is extremely valuable because it allows the family to practice the English they are learning and to attain a better grasp of American culture. Refugee families also have infinite things to teach us about their experience and their understanding of America. Time with the family can be spent at their home, at your home, and/or taking them out to experience new things in America. There are a variety of practical skills you can teach the refugees as well. Those skills can include but are not limited to budgeting, banking, grocery shopping, and getting acquainted with modern technology. Mentors play a key role in the acculturation process and can be instrumental in helping the refugee family achieve self-sufficiency. Lasting friendships often develop with this volunteer opportunity. This is a great opportunity to do as a family because children of all cultures find a way to communicate and become friends.
Requirements: Minimum 4 month commitment. Must agree to meet weekly with family. Must be comfortable working with individuals with limited English.

Providing Transportation Training & Accompanying to Appointments: Volunteers are needed to teach refugees the IndyGo bus routes needed for transportation to work or to other activities in the Indianapolis area. Public transportation is often a refugee's only means of getting to and from work. Volunteers are also needed to assist refugees with obtaining a Driver's License by reviewing the Driver's Manual with them and practicing driving. Volunteer drivers are also needed to transport refugees to their medical, welfare, and various other appointments. Exodus will work with the volunteer to make minimal travel time and distance a priority. Individuals that enjoy learning about other cultures and developing new friendships would find this volunteer opportunity most rewarding.
Requirements: Daytime availability. Reliable transportation, valid license and auto insurance.

WIC Appointment Helper: WIC, Indiana's Women, Infant and Children Program, offers access to nutritious foods and promotes healthier eating and lifestyle. Many of Exodus' clients qualify for WIC and benefit greatly from enrolling in the program. Volunteers are needed to assist clients in getting to appointments and then helping the clients to grocery shop with their WIC vouchers.
Requirements: Daytime availability. Reliable transportation, valid license and auto insurance.

Set up of a child's room. Housing Assistance: Each new family that comes through Exodus has an apartment set up for them prior to arriving in America. This allows the family to establish a new home for themselves as soon as they arrive. The apartment is set up with a combination of donated items and purchased necessities. A volunteer with a truck, moving van or other suitable vehicle would be extremely helpful in transporting items from storage to the apartment and assisting with set up. Volunteers are also needed to collect or drop-off donations in the Indianapolis area. Donations may include furniture, household goods, clothing, and/or office equipment. Exodus will arrange for someone to assist but volunteers are encouraged to bring a friend or relative. Additionally, volunteers willing to organize or support donation drives would be of great benefit.
Requirements: Daytime availability. Ability to lift heavy items.

Internships are available!

Description of potential intern activities at Exodus:
Case Management:

  • Keep professional case-notes describing all interaction with clients
  • Provide clients with support and cultural orientation as needed
  • Advocate for clients' needs and rights
  • Assist in job readiness and employment placement with clients
  • Assist with apartment set up and donation collections

    Service Provider Connections:

  • Work with refugees in local school systems
  • Assist clients with the Family and Social Services Administration (welfare)
  • Assure health care to clients by interacting with diverse health care providers
  • Apply for social security cards, state ID, and other documentation with refugees

    Office Work:

  • Help maintain case files, case notes, and self-sufficiency reports
  • Perform a variety of tasks to assist efficient running of Exodus programs
  • Assist in management of donor database

    English Language Training / LCORE:

  • Assist in preparing material for Language, Cultural Orientation and Readiness for Employment
  • Tutor small group of clients in English class
  • Facilitate LCORE assessment to determine the English level of individual clients


    • Internship Requirements:

  • Ability to relate to individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and to work with them in a fair, supportive and cooperative manner
  • Organizational and time management skills sufficient to independently establish priorities and coordinate and complete competing assignments
  • Ability to prioritize work and work accurately under pressure of deadlines with frequent interruptions
  • Ability to maintain organized records
  • Demonstrate respect for client privacy and maintain confidentiality
  • Maintain an appearance and conduct suitable for working with the public
  • Adheres to schedule but demonstrates a willingness to be flexible
  • Minimum of 16 hours per week, Monday through Friday between 9am and 5pm
  • Semester and summer-long internships available
  • Preferred: Reliable transportation, valid driver's license & car insurance, and willingness to provide transportation to clients

  • More information? Email: mhochbein@exodusrefugee.org

    Next Volunteer Orientation Schedule

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    Current Volunteers

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