Volunteer Mentors Back In Action!

by Clara Schmae, Program Assistant. || January 20, 2022

Globally’s Refugee Assistance Program (RAP) has successfully relaunched and is proud to have recently produced its first group of volunteer mentors, who meet once a week (though virtually for now) with a household of Afghan women who were recently evacuated from Afghanistan. This group of volunteer mentors has provided assistance and support to these women as they adjust and settle into their new environment. There’s a wide range of needs that RAP mentors help take on, which vary from revising resumes and cover letters to U.S. standards, to helping search for local English courses, or walking these families through the complexities of public transportation. Although this group has only met a handful of times, an exciting friendship has begun to emerge. 

“We are grateful to the loved ones in RAP who take the time to integrate us into living in America and, with their words, give us hope for life,” a recent household stated. “We did not imagine the kind assistance the American people would give the refugees without any discrimination. This is humanity in every sense. This is a blessing from the founders of the Globally organization. Thank you for this humanity and kind friendship."

Globally officially relaunched its Refugee Assistance Program following the swift exit of U.S. forces in Afghanistan as the summer drew to a close. Globally recognized that the sudden influx of Afghans arriving to the United States would stretch resources like time, money, and people already working to support the flow of refugees quite thin. To alleviate some of the pressure and show support, Globally tapped into its vast network of members, asking them for their assistance in relaunching the Refugee Assistance Program. Hundreds of members from around the world responded, eager to serve their communities and welcome their new neighbors. “The flood of support from members around the world reignited my hope for humanity,” said RAP Program Assistant, Clara Schmae, who spearheaded the relaunch. “I genuinely look forward to meeting with my group each week because these women are so incredibly inspiring. They have been through, and continue to go through, so much. Yet, they are always smiling.” 

In October 2021, Globally partnered with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Silver Spring, Maryland, to bring together local volunteers and pair them with the Afghan refugees the IRC was already supporting. Through this partnership, Globally volunteers are required to attend an orientation put on by the IRC that focuses on Family Mentorship and how to best assist the refugees as they readjust to American society. Once prerequisites are met, Globally volunteers are then grouped and matched with a household of recently arrived Afghans. 

If you are interested in joining this program, please check out more details here or you can email clara@globally.org with any questions. If you are looking for other ways to be involved in Globally’s communities of impact, explore our portfolio of programs on our website and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates.