Volunteer

We all want to make a difference in the world. At World Relief, we believe making a difference is a two-way street. Over the past 40+ years, we’ve been guiding community members into mutually-transformative relationships that make a lasting impact on the community. You can bring your gifts, abilities and interests, and World Relief will help you connect and walk alongside families and individuals as they rebuild their lives in Western Washington.

Please 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 in our Volunteer Handbook.

King County Application

Thurston County Application

Whatcom County Application

Volunteer Onboarding Steps:

Set up a profile on PORTAL by clicking the application link for your location above.
After creating a profile you will be prompted to fill out a volunteer application.
Sign up for a Live Local Orientation on PORTAL (we hold these on the 1st Tuesday and Thursday of the month).
Complete the U.S. Programs E-Course - indicated on PORTAL (we suggest using the same username and password for the E-Course Platform).
Complete a background check through PORTAL.

Log Volunteer Hours

Volunteer Resources

King County Opportunities

Internships

Interns serve alongside staff: assisting with practical needs, gaining professional casework and communication skills, and learning about refugee resettlement and inter-cultural work. Our Resettlement and Health & Wellness Internships are highly relational, hands-on internships involving significant commitment and responsibility. We also have internships for refugee and immigrant youth.

Learn more.

Host Homes

Good Neighbor Teams

Cultural Companions

Refugee Youth Mentor

Detention Center Post-Release Volunteers (Tacoma)

Resettlement Support Volunteers (Kent)

World Relief receives refugees, asylees, and other immigrants from all over the world every year. We believe that providing sustainable, quality care to each new arrival involves inviting community members to be a part of their resettlement process. This can look like picking up families and individuals from the airport, helping people learn how to navigate public transportation, helping refugees and asylees get settled when they first arrive in the U.S., and more.

Learn more.

English Class Assistants (virtual or in-person)

ESL Tutor (virtual or in-person)

Digital Literacy Tutor

Children & Family Programs Volunteers

Employment Preparedness Volunteer

Kitchen Volunteer

Do you have a passion for food? World Relief is building a team of volunteers with an interest in cooking and/or nutrition to be a part of our kitchen crew! Kitchen volunteers will be matched with opportunities to assist in our Commercial Teaching Kitchen in order to support refugee and immigrant students as they learn cooking skills, apply holistic food-centered nutrition and grow as entrepreneurs in the food industry.

Learn more

Community Garden Volunteer

Specialty Skills Volunteer

Apply to Volunteer - King County

Thurston County Opportunities

Cultural Companions

Host Homes

Moving Team Volunteers

Speciality Skills Volunteer

Apply to Volunteer - Thurston County

Whatcom County Opportunities

Cultural Companions

Host Homes

Moving Team Volunteers

Speciality Skills Volunteer

Apply to Volunteer - Whatcom County

More ways to engage

Donate Items

Speak Up

"Volunteering is a passion of mine. ... Also as an immigrant, I know how complicated and difficult it could be for one to end up in a place where they know nobody. Helping others at the RV to reach out to their families or friends, driving them to the airport or hotel, and seeing happiness on their faces after being released is just priceless."

-Dieu, Post-Release Volunteer

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 see little glimpses of God’s kingdom through watching people help one another by extending small kindnesses and in the joyful moments sharing life together.”

-Alison, Volunteer