Opportunities From: Giving DuPage

Donate items to support immigrant and refugee families! Top needs are always changing based on family needs, so check out our website for the most recent information: Donate New and Used Items | World Relief Chicagoland

Current top needs:

1. Car seats (must be NEW)

2. Strollers

3. Adult bicycles (ready to ride)

4. Adult bicycle helmets (must be NEW)

5. First aid kits

6. Thermometers

7. Tower lamps

8. Forever stamps

9. Tea

10. Gift cards (Uber, Ventra, Walmart, Aldi, Walgreens)

Items can be dropped off at our DuPage office:

191 S. Gary Ave.

Carol Stream, IL 60188

Drive to the back of the building and leave items on the RIGHT hand side. Please label donations for “World Relief.” The back area is open Monday-Friday, 9:00AM-4:30PM.

You can also order from our Amazon wish list and have the items shipped directly to our office! World Relief Amazon Wish List

Questions? Please send an email to Lauren Visser, our In-Kind Donations Manager, at LVisser@wr.org.

Without a vehicle and often with limited public transit options, refugees and immigrants who recently arrived in America experience significant transportation challenges. Step into this gap and become a Transportation Assistant, providing refugees and immigrants rides to important classes, trainings, interviews, and appointments! Volunteers help as often as their schedule allows—typically ranging from multiple times a week to a few times a year.

Transportation needs are often on weekdays during normal work hours (though evening needs also exist), so having daytime availability is ideal. Training is provided. **At this time, we do not have a need for airport transportation.**

Learning the English language is one of the most crucial skills for refugees and immigrants to thrive in America. As an English Language Tutor, you’ll practice conversational English and language skills with an adult refugee or immigrant and become friends in the process!

Tutors meet their student(s) in-person, typically at the student's home, or virtually for about 1 - 2 hours once a week for 6 months, walking through a short lesson that focuses on speaking and listening.

Training and materials are provided. No previous English teaching experience is necessary. Knowledge of another language is not necessary.

For those born with U.S. citizenship, it’s easy to overlook all the benefits it provides. But these benefits, including the right to vote and hold public office, are immense. World Relief Chicagoland hosts citizenship clinics to provide a low-cost opportunity for immigrant community members to apply for U.S. citizenship.

As a Citizenship Assistant, you’ll help eliminate barriers for those applying and enable our clinics to serve more individuals. Volunteers assist clients with completing their citizenship application (Form N-400) before it is reviewed by a legal representative and eventually submitted.

Clinics take place once a month from about 9 AM to 4 PM, alternating between Fridays at our DuPage office and Saturdays at partner sites in DuPage County and Aurora. Volunteers often serve half or full days on a monthly or semi-regular basis. Training is provided.

Loneliness is one of the greatest challenges refugees and immigrants face in America, so good friends are greatly needed. As a Friendship Partner, you’ll get to know an individual/family and help them navigate life in America.

This may involve activities like practicing English, exploring your community together, reading through mail and papers that come home from school, and so much more. Volunteers provide friendship with an emphasis on cultural awareness and practical support focused on empowerment and self-sufficiency. This is a great opportunity to learn about the cultural adjustment process firsthand and experience transformation in your life as well.

Friendship Partners commit to meeting regularly for 6 months, spending about four hours or more together each month. Training is provided.

Learning the English language is one of the most crucial skills for refugees and immigrants to thrive in America. As an English Classroom Aide, you’ll provide support in an adult English class for refugees and immigrants.

Responsibilities include leading small group conversation or practice, monitoring student progress, one-on-one tutoring during class time, and assisting the teacher with other classroom duties.

Volunteers commit to at least one day per week for 4 to 6 months. Classes are 2 - 2.5 hours in length with the majority occurring weekday mornings, some weekday evenings, and a small number on Saturday mornings. Most classes are happening virtually at this time.

Training is provided. No previous English teaching experience is necessary. Knowledge of another language is not necessary. **Volunteers must be Illinois residents**

Changing schools is difficult enough; now imagine your new school is in a completely different country, culture, and language. This is the reality for refugee and immigrant youth when they first start school in America. As a Youth Tutor, you can help ease this transition by coming alongside them and their parent(s) as they begin the process of adjusting to school and pursuing academic success.

You’ll have the opportunity to help with homework, build a friendship, practice English, provide social-emotional support, and—in some settings—enjoy fun activities together like soccer, art, etc. Tutors are normally paired with a student of the same gender in one of our after-school clubs or outside of our clubs at a mutually determined time, meeting in-person or virtually in some locations.

A typical commitment is about 1 - 2 hours once a week over a school semester. Training is provided.

For refugees and immigrants, being denied healthcare and/or having little to no access prior to resettling in a country like the U.S. is a harsh reality. As a Health Advocate, you’ll come alongside an adult refugee or immigrant with friendship and practical support that empowers them to navigate the American healthcare system and receive the care they need.

Health Advocates support World Relief’s most vulnerable refugee clients like those with chronic medical conditions, those with disabilities, and single moms. Volunteer responsibilities can include assisting with transportation to appointments, helping with paperwork, advocating to ensure clients receive proper medical care despite cultural and language barriers, and more universal activities like practicing English, etc.

Health Advocates commit to meeting regularly (about 8 hours a month) for 6 months. Having daytime availability is ideal but not always required. Training is provided.