Thank you for your care for our refugee neighbors! Due to COVID-19 social distancing measures, we recognize that volunteering may continue to look different. The safety of our clients, volunteers, and staff is a high priority.

This is a fast-evolving situation, so please keep current of new developments and consider how they may affect your volunteering. Ensure you are familiar with the latest guidance from the CDC and from Gov. Walz for Minnesota, and encourage your refugee-background friends to do the same.

As volunteers there are still ways that you can offer welcome and comfort during this time. We developed this page to provide you with suggestions, activities, and educational opportunities that you can do from the safety of your home during this uncertain time.

In addition to state guidelines, Arrive Ministries recommends abiding by the following precautions whenever possible.

Arrive Ministries recommendations:

• Limit the number of people meeting indoors

• Limit your time together to about one hour

• Call before you visit to ensure everyone is healthy

• Wear a mask when visiting or transporting your refugee-background friends

• Spend time outside

Stay connected with your family

• Stay-Safe-MN recommendations for reengaging

• Homework Help Support During Hybrid / Distance Learning

• Text, call, or video call (FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp) regularly

• How are they doing? Can you answer any of their questions?

• Are there activities you can do together over video?

  • Play games
  • Practice math & spelling flashcards
  • Learn phrases in their language and teach them more words in English
  • Do virtual cooking classes, trading off on who is the teacher and who is the student (this is a good way to practice vocabulary)
  • Have a virtual dinner party: Sit down for a meal with each other by video

• Drop off groceries, games, or handwritten cards

• Tips for communicating remotely with limited-English speakers

• How to offer a pressure-free invitation

Resources for COVID-19

• Food

  • Free meals for Minneapolis Public Schools students
  • Free meals for Saint Paul Public Schools students
  • Find your local food bank
    • Neighborhood House (St. Paul)
    • VEAP (Bloomington)
    • Second Harvest (Brooklyn Park)
  • Twin Cities restaurants providing free kids’ meals during school closures

• Free WiFi hotspot access

• Apply to access unemployment benefits

• Information on accessing Economic Impact Payments

• Companies hiring in Minnesota during COVID-19

• COVID-19 overview: Arabic, Karen, Russian, Somali, and six other languages

• COVID-19 video overview in various languages

(Note: this “Somali” video is actually “Af Maay” another language in Somalia, click here for the video in Somali)

• CDC’s How to Protect Yourself & Others

Get training, continue learning 

• Watch Recordings: LINK – 4 part webinar series

Connecting to Refugee Neighbors Amidst COVID-19. During these challenging times we know God’s command to welcome our refugee and immigrant neighbors hasn’t changed, but what does this look like practically? Join us online for an hour-long live webinar series, as we seek to learn together how to continue to foster relationships creatively.

• Learn some phrases in the language of your family 

• Documentaries and films to watch

• Books to read (adults, young adults, and kids)

• Ted Talks to watch

• Podcasts to listen to

• Kids Activity Kit

Let us know how we can help or serve you 

As we navigate the uncharted territory of responding to COVID-19, Arrive Ministries continues to prioritize the well-being of our clients and volunteers.

We are taking advisement regarding our response to COVID-19 from our affiliate World Relief, along with Minnesota Department of Health, World Health Organization, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We want to support you! Please reach out with any questions or ways we can serve you during this time: office@arriveministries.org