frequently asked questions
Below are common questions we receive about our organization and what we do.
Anything from providing occasional transportation to school or a medical appointment all the way to becoming an important friend to an immigrant, someone our new neighbor can call on for support.
An hour a week up to an hour a day, depending on how much time you have and how involved you want to be and how new the immigrants are to the community when their needs are probably greatest.
In 2024 we have welcomed immigrants from Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Colombia, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Congo.
Exodus is a non-profit organization that places immigrants in cities in Indiana. Exodus was formed in 1981 but didn’t have an office in Bloomington until 2022. Exodus provides financial and legal help. Their goal is to help clients become independent as soon as possible. The Refugee Support Network is a local non-profit organization that was created in 2016 to support refugees 6 years before Exodus had a presence in Bloomington. RSN occasionally supports refugees financially, but our emphasis is on being a friend to whom refugees can turn for support and friendship.
No. There are smart phone translation apps and native speakers who can help. Our new neighbors want to learn English, so having simple conversations in English with an immigrant is a great gift. The more they hear English the sooner and faster they will gain courage to try speaking the language and eventually become fluent. This is easier for children who are in school and those who have jobs out in the community. Mothers who stay at home need this practice the most.
We want to respond to an immigrant’s needs when they first enter our community, so we encourage volunteers to connect with our newest neighbors. However, if you make a request for a person from a certain country, we will try to accommodate.