WELCOMING THE STRANGER: SMALL GROUP
Based on the book by Matthew Sorens & Jenny Yang, this course was created as a guide to help a small group of people move towards action as an expression of their Christian faith. It is an experiential opportunity -- a chance to explore one of the most complex issues of our day, immigration, from a biblical perspective and to live out the calling God has given his church.
INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIEF
This course is an introduction to World Relief as an organization, explores the issues of mass displacement and immigration, and includes a brief overview of US programs. This course is required for completion by volunteers engaged in one-time or event-based volunteer opportunities with supervised client interaction or no client interaction. Estimated time to complete: 20 minutes.
US PROGRAMS NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
World Relief’s internal, general orientation for short and long-term volunteers serving with US Programs. This course covers our organizational work and philosophy, important context around mass displacement and immigration, and critical policies and procedures for volunteers. This course is required for completion by volunteers engaged in short or long-term volunteer opportunities with unsupervised client interaction. It is for internal use only and must be accessed via direct link. Estimated time to complete: 45 minutes.
GOOD NEIGHBOR TEAM 2.0: ORIENTATION & KNOWLEDGE CHECK
In this course, you will learn about your role as a GNT 2.0, how to organize for welcoming, and helpful skills that will support you and the newcomer you are welcoming. All Good Neighbor Team 2.0 team members must complete this course in order to be certified. Estimated time to complete: 1 hour.
WELCOMING THE STRANGER: INDIVIDUAL
Based on the book by Matthew Sorens & Jenny Yang, this course is a journey into thinking biblically about immigration. Whether you are new to exploring the topic of immigration from a Christian perspective, or it's a matter you've given much time and passion to, this course offers space for listening, learning, reflection and transformation. Estimated time to complete: 90 minutes.
CITIZENSHIP TUTORING
Learn the ins and outs of the U.S. naturalization test and how to help an English language learner feel confident as they prepare for their interview. Topics covered include the role of a citizenship tutor, the pathway to citizenship, preparing for the speaking and civics tests, preparation for reading & writing in the tests, and how to structure your lessons. Estimated time to complete: 5 hours.
ESL TUTORING
Whether you are a seasoned educator or are new to the experience of teaching, this course will guide you In understanding the basics of helping adults speak, listen, read, and write the English language. From understanding our students' backgrounds, to putting together a lesson plan, engage with this course today and get started on your journey to empower your students to feel the freedom that English language literacy and fluency brings. Estimated time to complete: 6 hours.
YOUTH TUTORING & MENTORING
This course will equip youth volunteers to engage immigrant youth with confidence as tutors and mentors. Topics covered include the strengths and challenges of immigrant families & youth, best practices for keeping youth safe, how to engage effectively with immigrant youth and a deep-dive into effective tutoring and mentoring. Estimated time to complete: 90 minutes.
WORLD RELIEF AMBASSADOR
Ambassadors are the voice of the vulnerable in our communities. Through this course, you'll be equipped to represent World Relief through learning the basics of telling effective stories, giving captivating presentations, and advocating at a grassroots level. Estimated time to complete: 90 minutes.
CAREER MENTORING
Gain the skills and knowledge you need to mentor a career-seeking immigrant with confidence. Topics covered in this course include career strengths and barriers for immigrants, keys to successful mentoring, career exploration and tools, and financial literacy tools. Estimated time to complete: 90 minutes.
NAVIGATING FRIENDSHIPS
In Navigating Friendships, you'll learn basics to build empowering, long-lasting friendships with those who may differ from you in culture, socio-economic status, and religion, and best practices for supporting a friend who lives with trauma. This course is a synthesis and high-level overview of the four Friendship courses. Estimated time to complete: 1 hour.
AFGHAN CULTURE GUIDE
The level of interest for involvement in welcoming Afghans to the US has been unprecedented as is the number of new Afghan families arriving to the US. This course was created to facilitate a foundational understanding of the context Afghans are coming from, common elements of Afghan culture – especially those that are different from majority American culture - and best practices for interaction with Afghans. Estimated time to complete: 90 minutes.
EMBRACING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
Explore the basics of cross-cultural friendship & gain a framework for how to recognize & navigate cultural differences. Though our differences can lead to misunderstandings, they can ultimately be as enriching as our similarities. Topics include recognizing & engaging with culture, developing an intercultural mindset, and acting effectively cross-culturally. Estimated time to complete: 1 hour.
EMBRACING SOCIO-ECONOMIC DIFFERENCES
How do we engage in friendship with those of a different economic status than us without causing harm? This course draws from the book by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert. It widens our definition of poverty and helps us strive for mutuality and authenticity in our friendships. Topics include defining poverty, paternalism & dependency, and mutuality & empowerment in friendship. Estimated time to complete: 1 hour.
NAVIGATING RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES
How do you effectively welcome and befriend neighbors of different faith backgrounds? This course helps us examine motivations in interfaith friendships and to foster relationships with trust & mutuality. Material draws from by Eugene Cho & Samira Izadi Page. Topics include empathizing with those experiencing discrimination, understanding underlying dynamics in proselytism, the Great Commandments in friendship, and healthy spiritual conversations in friendship. Estimated time to complete: 1 hour.
NAVIGATING THE EFFECTS OF TRAUMA
This course helps build awareness and sensitivity to how the effects of trauma may be at play in friendships, and how we can support those who experience the effects of trauma in their everyday lives. Topics include defining trauma, a philosophy to do no harm, becoming a good listener, and how to identify and manage secondary trauma. Estimated time to complete: 1 hour.
UKRAINIAN CULTURE GUIDE
This course offers a foundational understanding of Ukrainian history and culture, including best practices for interacting with your new Ukrainian friends. Estimated time to complete is 90 minutes.
ENGLISH CONVERSATION PARTNERS
Everything you need to support an English learner. Navigate a language barrier, be a culturally sensitive language partner, and choose helpful topics of conversation to support your new friend as they learn English. Est. time to complete: 90 mins.
HEALTH ADVOCATE
Learn how to support a newly arrived immigrant with their health needs as they get used to life in the U.S. Est. time to complete: 1 hour
INTRO TO RESETTLEMENT
Explore the global context of refugee resettlement, the process of resettlement within the U.S., and the role of organizations like World Relief. Est. time to complete: 45 minutes
