We want to thank you for your care and support of refugee newcomers! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary social distancing measures in place, we recognize that volunteering to welcome and support new arrivals may look drastically different over the next few weeks/months. The safety of clients, volunteers, staff and our community members is our top priority. Please take seriously the safety recommendations in your community to slow and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support welcoming newcomers to our community!

 

Stay connected with your family

  • 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

  • Tips for communicating remotely with limited-English speakers

 

“Yesterday God put it on my heart to drop off toilet paper for my Afghan friends. When I dropped it off, the mom had said that they had been unable to find any for their family of eight! While we should not be tutoring at this time, I think we can still serve these beautiful families. We can drop off cards, flowers, books for their kids! We can call and text! Maybe some fresh produce left at their front door? We can let them know that we are praying for them.” – An AWELL volunteer

 

Resources for COVID-19

 

Get training, continue learning 

from the Institute for Cross Cultural Training through Wheaton College

This virtual training is designed for volunteers who want to dig deeper into how to tutor English well. The workshop will be held from 8:30am – 5pm and it’s all online! *If volunteers register before April 1st and submit their registration with at least a group of 3, there will be a $10 discount/person. All registrations need to be emailed to Dianne.Dow@wheaton.edu

 

Let us know how we can help/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