Home / Volunteer

Volunteer with URC

Thanks for your interest in volunteering with the United Religious Community of St. Joseph County (URC). Here’s a synopsis of ways to assist.

URC Programs That Engage Volunteers

  • Advocacy Center volunteers process applications electronically, connect clients with other agencies when appropriate and follow-up and accompany the client through the process of attaining benefits. Advocacy Center volunteers provide 1-2 hours of service weekly, sometimes can be done remotely.

  • Seeks a wide variety of volunteers.

    • Co-Sponsor volunteer groups work together over the course of 6 months, from pre-arrival through the initial 90-day resettlement period. Co-sponsors work closely with the newly arrived to accompany them on their journey and provide support throughout their initial transition.

    • Individual volunteers for tutoring, refugee family help, specific individual needs, and other opportunities that involve commitment over a period of time

    • One-time or episodic volunteers for events, as-needed, volunteers who assist in family moves, setting up living spaces, leading or providing various services (i.e., financial workshops)

  • We help by being career coaches, writing career pathway guides for the internationally trained, helping immigrants connect with educational institutions and employers, writing grants to support our work.  Volunteers may support an individual immigrant achieve their educational and career goals, work on a writing project or help in other ways to enhance immigrant inclusion. 

  • Help with office duties

  • Board members serve three-year terms and attend bimonthly board meetings.

  • URC welcomes volunteers who are seeking to do or fulfill a service project requirement, either for themselves or for a group. Through a conversation with the Community Engagement Coordinator, the specifics - if it’s a one-time or longer commitment, the objective of the project and availability - can be discussed and, most often, worked out satisfactorily.

    Examples: Group of friends, colleagues, or congregants may consider:

    • hosting an activity or event for the newly resettled;

    • holding a donation drive for needed items;

    • providing service at the URC (painting, cleanups, etc.)

Becoming a URC Volunteer

✔ Complete the volunteer application.

✔ Interview with the Community Engagement Coordinator.

✔ Complete all necessary forms (to be provided by the Community Engagement Coordinator).

✔ Provide a state-issued driver’s license if offering transportation

✔ Provide proof of COVID vaccination (if local health policies require this)

✔ Undergo a background check, which is required of all ongoing volunteers 18 years and older. Except one-time volunteers.

✔ Attend a volunteer orientation and ongoing training.

✔ Receive a volunteer assignment and begin volunteering!

Apply Now