Click here to volunteer or contact the Global Friends Coalition office at 701-746-8233 or email info@gfcoalition.org if you’re interested in learning more about any of these opportunities.
We have an extremely diverse group of volunteers from the Greater Grand Forks area working with Global Friends Coalition. One thing we hear over again from our volunteers is that they always look forward to their weekly visits with their New American Friends. Volunteers participate in one of our three programs by attending, hosting and tutoring/mentoring.
Volunteers of all ages go to the homes of New Americans to be part of the Family Mentors and Adult Literacy Program. The goal is to help New Americans with English language learning and provide friendship. Volunteers can work individually, with a partner, or even with their whole family. We ask all volunteers to commit to at least 6 months of service, for a minimum of one hour a week (occasionally needing to reschedule or skip a week is acceptable). We find tutoring and mentoring is most effective when a New American has someone consistently visiting their home for a sustained period of time.
RESILIENT YOUTH PROGRAM
Volunteers are matched with English
language learners at middle and high schools through the Resilient Youth
Program. Volunteers assist with homework, help build English skills and
confidence, and serve as positive role models. You also have the opportunity to join in on
different field trips. Volunteers are asked to commit at least an hour per week
for six months (with the understanding that you might need to miss
occasionally).
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM
Global Friends Coalition helps Grand Forks in its path to becoming a place where mutual regard is prized by providing the broader community opportunities to better understand and to interact with its New American residents. Each year, Global Friends hosts or co-hosts a number of community events, including a community-refugee picnic, and a large World Refugee Day fair held at the Town Square during the Farmers Market. Global Friends Coalition also supports various cultural events and honors requests from community groups to make presentations at its gatherings to better educate their members. In addition, Global Friends partners with local organizations on projects aimed at supporting New Americans.
