Volunteering at the Bureau of Refugee Services can offer many different possibilities. These opportunities include:
ESL Helper
Be able to speak proper, grammatical English and engage in dialogue with the student so they can better understand how to converse in our language. Location: Assessment Center in our office.
Metro Bus System Helper
Be able to physically show the clients how to read the bus schedule with attention to the times, the location to get on the bus from their home, how to get off where they need to get off, how to transfer, etc. You would ride the bus with them, as well, to “show” them how to do this.
Help move furniture into apartments
Be able to lift large and small furniture pieces up stairs and into an apartment, such as kitchen chairs and table, couch, TV stand, end tables, armchairs, beds, etc.
Apartment set-up
Be able to take items and arrange them in the appropriate apartment areas. Example: Toilet paper and towels go in the bathroom, dishes go in the kitchen cupboards, hangers go in the closets, etc.
Pick-up or solicit furniture from different entities or individuals in theDes Moines area
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Be able to call or go to Goodwill and Salvation Army seeking beds, furniture for sale.
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Be able to call the hotels/motels to see if there are beds, pillows, pillowcases or sheets they will donate when they change them.
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Be able to find beds & furniture from friends, family or other entities in the DSM area for us to pick up with our truck.
Donation Sorter
Be able to go into our storage unit(s) and put things in their place. Sort and organize donations into piles and label certain areas in order for us to do apartment set-up out of that space. Example: Blankets all go into the cabinet together. Dishes get sorted into stacks of large dishes, small dishes, bowls, cups on the shelving units that are in there.
To volunteer or to obtain more information about volunteering you can contact Amber Essary at 515-283-9422 or 515-283-7999 or email her at aessary@dhs.state.ia.us
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