Volunteer - World Relief

We all want to make a difference in the world. It’s part of how we are designed. At World Relief, we believe making a difference is a two-way street. Over the past 40+ years, we’ve been guiding people like you to volunteering in ways that make a lasting impact. You can bring your gifts, abilities, and interests, and we will help you connect and walk alongside families and individuals as they rebuild their lives in Western New York.

Look through our volunteer opportunities below to see where your gifts, abilities, and interests align. We are committed to your thorough onboarding, training, and support as a volunteer, so please review the onboarding steps, commitment, and location for each role. Learn more about World Relief, our mission and volunteer expectations and guidelines in our Volunteer Handbook here.

Note: Due to the high number of volunteer applications we are receiving, volunteer onboarding and responses may be delayed. Thanks for your patience!

Volunteer Opportunities

Conversation Partner Team

Description: Learning English helps refugees and immigrants navigate life in Rochester more independently. It can open doors for new job opportunities, education, and friendships! We are partnering with OACES, “the premier adult training and education center in the greater Rochester area,” to provide additional English conversations that will augment their Tuesday ESL class.

Goal: To help refugees and immigrants learn English so that they are better able to navigate life and opportunities in America.

Click Here to learn more!

Home Team

Description: Having a place to call home provides independence, belonging, and identity. The Home Team assists World Relief staff to clean, set-up, and transform apartments into homes for newly arrived refugees in Rochester! We often only have a few days notice for moving a family into their apartment, so this team often requires a flexible schedule.

Goal: Create a welcoming environment for refugees and immigrants by setting up furniture and household items in an apartment prior to their arrival.

Click Here to learn more!

Transportation Team

Description: Transportation volunteers assist WR clients with their transportation needs by driving them to important appointments, trainings, classes, and resources and also orienting on how to use public transportation system. Additionally, transportation volunteers might be asked to help WR clients navigate various offices and stores with clients, as well as advocate with/on behalf of WR clients as they adapt to life in Rochester, NY This role requires volunteers have flexible schedules and attitudes. While we work to have appointments and trips scheduled as far in advance as possible, many transportation needs will arise last-minute. Volunteers only need to reply to the opportunities they’d like to assist with.

Goal: To help World Relief clients overcome transportation barriers and access the services and resources they need throughout the community.

Click Here to learn more!

Good Neighbor Team

Description: A Good Neighbor Team (GNT) is a small group of volunteers (preferably 6-8) from a local church or organization that partners with World Relief to welcome and walk alongside a newly arrived refugee family. We want each refugee who arrives in the US to feel the warm welcome of the local church and community. To accomplish this, GNTs will partner with World Relief to assist with practical resettlement tasks aimed at empowering the family to move towards self-sufficiency, while simultaneously building meaningful, long-lasting relationships.

Goal: To assist with practical resettlement tasks aimed at empowering the family to move towards self-sufficiency, while simultaneously building meaningful, long-lasting relationships.

Check out our Good Neighbor Team Overview guide for more information!

Once you have a team, fill out a Good Neighbor Team Interest Form and send it to our Volunteer Coordinator, Eric Lintala, at elintala@wr.org.

One-Time Service Projects

Description: We occasionally have opportunities for churches, businesses, schools, and other groups to volunteer with a project, donation drive, or other event. If your group is interested in a service project, please have your group leader fill out this interest form!

*We will reach out to you regarding your Group soon.

Apply to Volunteer

Volunteer Onboarding Steps

1. Complete the Volunteer Application (one per volunteer please).

2. Complete the US Programs E-Learning Volunteer Orientation for Western NY. This 45 minute e-course gives an overview of the work of World Relief, mass displacement and immigration, World Relief's U.S. programs, and next steps for you as a volunteer here in Western NY.

3. RSVP for a live Western NY Orientation. After the Western NY orientation, we will complete the final paperwork with you, including a background check and contacting the references you listed on your volunteer application.

4. Pass the background and drivers' checks. The drivers' checks are only for volunteers who drive.

5. Positive reference check.

6. Placement and Training for a specific Volunteer Role. Once your background check clears and you have submitted all your paperwork, we will work to get back with you as soon as we can. We will then connect you with the specific team you are interested in for next steps in getting started!

Volunteer Resources

US Volunteer Handbook

Western NY Office Information

Self Care Toolkit

I like volunteering because I have met new people, learned many new things, eaten new foods, and learned about the culture of Afghans.

-Sonia, Good Neighbor

I have appreciated helping women progress in their English, getting to know them, and helping them move forward in their transition to life in the U.S.

-Anne, ESL Tutor

"I volunteer because I love getting to know the students more deeply and having the opportunity to serve others."

-Colin, Welcome Club Volunteer