By joining with others within their congregations and communities, volunteers may form a sponsoring group or surround group to work directly with a specific refugee family. There are organized coalitions in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, Jamestown, Valley City and Wahpeton. Individuals may give their time to organized community volunteer task forces, or work directly through the Refugee Resettlement program in both Bismarck and Fargo. Volunteers are needed to collect household furnishings and clothing, and to coordinate fund raising activities. Volunteers are also needed to serve as friends, advocates, drivers and tutors.
Individuals can also help by donating money, home furnishings, warm clothing, etc.
All efforts are directed toward helping the refugees adjust to a new country and assisting them in meeting their basic needs while on their way to self-sufficiency. Through Jesus' words, we are reminded that compassion for every human being is a God-centered ministry. These services include job development, information and referral, counseling, orientation and more. Refugee Resettlement is ecumenical both at the program level with cooperation with the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota's Refugee Programs and at the local level with a coalition of churches of many denominations working together to help refugees. The Match Grant Program is a welfare-alternative approach to providing resettlement assistance to refugees.