HandsOn San Diego

HELP OUT: Social Services for Migrant Children

KIND (Kids in Need of Defenese) is seeking Social Services Volunteers to join their urgent effort to support unaccompanied immigrant children currently housed in emergency intake facilities in San Diego, and expedite their reunification with family members within the United States. Beginning February 2021, a growing number of children seeking safety have crossed the U.S. border and are awaiting reunification through emergency intake sites (EIS) operated by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). ORR has opened temporary EIS's where children can receive initial services and begin the reunification process. KIND, working alongside ORR, is recruiting Social Services Volunteers who are able to dedicate at least 7 days to 14 days to meet the needs of children in these temporary EIS's through in-person services. Social Services Volunteers must have advanced Spanish language proficiency. KIND seeks Social Services Volunteers to provide trauma-informed services to unaccompanied children placed at EIS's maintained by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in San Diego. The Social Services Volunteers will serve an essential role as part of the KIND’s legal team and ensure children receive coordinated legal support through a holistic and culturally responsive framework. Opportunity Requirements & Important Notes Essential Functions: Volunteers can expect to engage with children as follows: Sit, or walk around the facility, with children while they wait for their screenings and/or legal intakes Conducting grounding exercises for the minors including but not limited to breathing strategies, journaling, coloring, etc Leading brief questionnaires with the minors in hopes of gathering specific sponsor-related data Volunteers should generally expect to engage with either adolescent boys and/or girls Volunteers should expect to work with particularly vulnerable minors who have experienced severe trauma, may have serious medical conditions and/or are undergoing other emotionally distressing circumstances Qualifications and Requirements: Advanced proficiency in Spanish to conduct meaningful and accurate dialogue with children Strong communication and written skills Pass criminal background check conducted by KIND Submit social security number, driver’s license number, date of birth, and home address for security clearance Attend one KIND informational session prior to departure Complete required KIND trainings prior to departure Sign a confidentiality agreement and waiver of liability with KIND Experience working with immigrant families and children preferred Experience working with children and survivors of trauma preferred At least 1 COVID vaccination at the onset of volunteering Volunteers will need to bring their own protective equipment (PPE: masks, sanitizing wipes etc.) Volunteers should expect long days and varied shifts. KIND is requiring a commitment of at least 7 consecutive days and can be extended up to 14 days. Volunteers could potentially return for another 7-14 days after a rest period. KIND will provide pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit guidance and support resources to volunteers Application Instructions: Please be advised that a volunteer application will need to be submitted along with your resume in order to be considered for the desired role. Please apply here. KIND has an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging. Individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply. About KIND (Kids in Need of Defense) Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. Since 2008, KIND has accepted over 23,000 referrals of children seeking legal representation in their immigration proceedings. KIND has welcomed more than 41,000 attendees to trainings since its founding, cultivating partnerships with over 670 law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, and bar associations across the country. KIND’s social services program ensures that migrant and refugee children - who have often endured trauma - receive counseling, educational support, medical care and other comprehensive services. To address the root causes of child migration from Central America and strengthen protection of unaccompanied children, KIND advocates for policy changes and educates lawmakers, the media, and the broader public on the conditions that drive these children to flee their home countries. KIND supports children returning to their home countries by connecting them to essential support services and sponsors gender-based violence prevention programs in Central America to protect children in countries of origin and transit. KIND is also building upon its expertise in the protection of unaccompanied children to encourage the development of pro bono initiatives across Europe in partnership with European NGOs.

HELP OUT: Migrant Shelter Airport and/or Greyhound Guide

As part of the San Diego Rapid Relief Network (SDRRN), Jewish Family Service (JFS) provides on-going services to help transition individuals and families who are seeking Asylum in the United States. These services are in response to the immediate needs of newly arrived migrants, it aims to help them reach their sponsors in other parts of the country. With ankle monitors and notices to appear in court, as many as 30-40 families a day are arriving in need of food, shelter, and medical care. With their partners in the SDRRN, JFS is able to meet the needs of these families and provide them multiple services to assist in their journey ahead. Based on the current COVID-19 pandemic, asylum seekers released by the government stay in individual hotel rooms for their short stay instead of joining other families in a congregant living setting at a shelter. In partnership with the SDRRN, JFS will continue to provide case management, travel assistance, nutrition services, medical screenings, and financial support for migrant families. In this role you'll help families navigate the ins and outs of transportation by serving as a guide. Guides are responsible for picking up families from their respective hotels, helping them print their boarding tickets, and escorting families through the airport or Greyhound bus station until they are at their boarding gate. Opportunity Requirements & Important Notes Signing up: Express interest here or create an account on JFS's Galaxy Digital site. Responsibilities: Answer JFS's health screening questions prior to your shift. Sanitize vehicle surfaces before and after escorting guests. Wear a face mask for the duration of your shift. Pick up guest paperwork and car seats from a JFS location. Ability to pick up clients from their respective hotels or to meet at the airport. Escort guests in your personal vehicle to the greyhound or airport. (Or meet them at the greyhound/airport if your vehicle cannot hold the number of guests.) Help guests print tickets at the kiosk. Explain the travel process to the guests. Obtain your escort pass so you can easily move through the airport/bus station with guests, assisting them to the appropriate gate. Return car seat to JFS location.​ Ability to speak Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Russian, or ability to download Google Translate on personal device. Qualifications: Language recommendations include Spanish, Haitian, and Russian. Must be able to effectively communicate with guests and airport/bus staff. Must effectively navigate the transportation facility. Time Commitment: 1-4 hours, shifts are available daily 4:00am-8:00am, 8:00am-12:00pm and 4:00pm-8:00pm About Jewish Family Service of San Diego Jewish Family Service (JFS) is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, healthier, more resilient San Diego.

HELP OUT: Migrant Shelter Medical Advocate

As part of the San Diego Rapid Relief Network (SDRRN), Jewish Family Service (JFS) provides on-going services to help transition individuals and families who are seeking Asylum in the United States. These services are in response to the immediate needs of newly arrived migrants, it aims to help them reach their sponsors in other parts of the country. With ankle monitors and notices to appear in court, as many as 30-40 families a day are arriving in need of food, shelter, and medical care. With their partners in the SDRRN, JFS is able to meet the needs of these families and provide them multiple services to assist in their journey ahead. Based on the current COVID-19 pandemic, asylum seekers released by the government stay in individual hotel rooms for their short stay instead of joining other families in a congregant living setting at a shelter. In partnership with the SDRRN, JFS will continue to provide case management, travel assistance, nutrition services, medical screenings, and financial support for migrant families. In this role, volunteers help drive family members to their medical appointments and provide a follow-up report to the shelter manager with any updates or future appointments made. Due to COVID, volunteers need to remain in their vehicle during the appointment or provide a phone number for nurses to call when the appointment is complete. As an advocate, you have the opportunity to ensure that families are treated with dignity and respect while navigating the medical system and serve as a reminder that they are not alone. Opportunity Requirements & Important Notes Signing up: Express interest here or create an account on JFS's Galaxy Digital site. Responsibilities: Answer JFS's health screening questions prior to your shift. Sanitize vehicle surfaces before and after escorting guests. Wear a face mask for the duration of your shift. Pick up guests from their respective hotels. Wait with guest while they await medical care. Explain the process of receiving hospital care. Advocate for the guest with hospital staff. Communicate with Shelter Manager regarding any medical updates in guest condition and any other needs of the guest. May require long periods of waiting. Qualifications: Language recommendations include Spanish, Haitian, and Russian. Ability to function in a dynamic and stressful environment with little or no supervision, adapting to change. Time Commitment: 3 hours minimum, this role is on-call About Jewish Family Service of San Diego Jewish Family Service (JFS) is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, healthier, more resilient San Diego.

URGENT: Migrant Shelter Courier

As part of the San Diego Rapid Relief Network (SDRRN), Jewish Family Service (JFS) provides on-going services to help transition individuals and families who are seeking Asylum in the United States. These services are in response to the immediate needs of newly arrived migrants, it aims to help them reach their sponsors in other parts of the country. With ankle monitors and notices to appear in court, as many as 30-40 families a day are arriving in need of food, shelter, and medical care. With their partners in the SDRRN, JFS is able to meet the needs of these families and provide them multiple services to assist in their journey ahead. Based on the current COVID-19 pandemic, asylum seekers released by the government stay in individual hotel rooms for their short stay instead of joining other families in a congregant living setting at a shelter. In partnership with the SDRRN, JFS will continue to provide case management, travel assistance, nutrition services, medical screenings, and financial support for migrant families. Shelter couriers assist with packing and delivering food, hygiene items, clothing, or other resources at JFS's home base then delivering them outside hotel doors (contactless). This ensures that the families get the resources they need while in JFS's care. Opportunity Requirements & Important Notes Signing up: Express interest here or create an account on JFS's Galaxy Digital site. Responsibilities: Answer JFS's health screening questions prior to your shift. Wear PPE (masks and gloves) for the duration of your shift.​ Pack and prepare hygiene and meal bags at our shelter. Pick up meals or items from JFS location. Deliver bags to the doorstep of each client at their respective hotel, must be able to climb stairs. Qualifications: Willingness to transport food in personal vehicle. Willingness to pack food and hygiene bags at our shelter. Must have a valid driver’s license. Must pass driver's training. Punctuality. Ability to carry up to 30 pounds. Ability to walk up stairs or use elevator. Time Commitment: 2-4 hours, daily shifts: 9:00am-1:00pm, 4:00pm-6:00pm, 5:30pm-8:00pm, 7:00pm-9:00pm About Jewish Family Service of San Diego Jewish Family Service (JFS) is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, healthier, more resilient San Diego.