VOLUNTEER WITH US
There are many little ways and some big ways to participate in the welcoming movement in Santa Cruz.
Think of all the resources you utilize in the course of a day or a week. Then envision leaving your home, work, friends and country after an event that made it clear it was unsafe to continue to live in that environment. You arrive in a new place, with different language, customs and regulations. You would need kind-hearted people to help, right? That’s where the Santa Cruz Welcoming Network shines!!
We are helping with everything from picking up food at the food pantry, helping people find housing and healthcare, making small regular donations, to transporting people to their appointments at Immigration Court in San Francisco. We will be happy to help you match up your skills, interests and availability with current opportunities and needs of our folks. You can work on your own in a range of ways or you can be part of a team that works with an individual or families.
Your participation can be productive with an occasional afternoon or only a few well spent minutes per week... and your impact is limited only by your own inspiration, heart, and imagination.
Contact us at santacruzwelcome@gmail.com
YOU CAN HELP BY
Joining a team of volunteers accompanying a family and connecting them with resources and services to get their basic needs met (for example, helping to search for jobs, set up medical appointments, start English lessons, and navigate cultural acclimation).
Hosting and sharing your home temporarily. It can be a room, a cottage, or extra living space. WN teams assist neighbors with everything else: school, work, medical, legal, etc. Neighbors can provide friendship, care and cultural sharing.
Becoming an advocate, companion, fundraiser, or network builder recruiting faith communities, businesses, community groups, or others. We're happy to provide a speaker if that would be helpful.
Giving money. Online monthly donations are best. No gift is too large or too small. Gifts made through our fiscal sponsor are tax deductible. See details on Donate page.
To Learn More:
Join the Welcoming Network email group to keep abreast of refugee support opportunities
Watch our Welcoming Workshop to meet some of us Welcomers, hear some case reports and learn how we work together.
If you could use some guidance on how to follow-up on any of these or other ways of welcoming, send us an email and we will reach out to welcome you in! Email santacruzwelcome@gmail.com and one of us will reach out to you. Please email and let us know what you’d be interested in doing.
Get to know us a bit and learn what we do!
¡Conócenos un poco y aprende lo que hacemos!
An encounter between leaders of welcoming congregations that have successfully hosted refugee families, and members and friends of the Santa Cruz Welcoming Network.