Refugee resettlement services include: - Assistance in networking throughout the community - Budgeting orientation - Cultural and employment orientation - Intake orientation - Medical access - Reception - Recruitment and training of volunteers - School registration - Stable housing Donations of household items are accepted: - Children's Welcome Baskets: Donors may express their creativity to create age-specific baskets for infants and toddlers, grade school youth, teens and adults - Cleaning Supplies Baskets: Create a "Bucket Basics" by filling a trash can with dish soap, laundry detergent, mop and broom, shower curtain with rings, sponges and paper towels, toilet paper and trash bag - Needed Basic Household Items: Bathroom rugs and mats, can openers, glassware, comforters and large blankets, kitchen and bathroom towels, kitchen tables and chairs, lamps with shades, large kitchen trash can, mattresses/box springs (gently used), pots and pans, sheet sets, shower curtains with rings, silverware, and sofas - Refurbished Computer and Internet Funds - Rental Assistance/Utility Fund - Shopping Cart Fund - Survival Kits: 60 watt light bulbs, alarm clock, children's Tylenol and adult Tylenol, envelopes, first aid kit, flashlight, key chains, new pillows, nightlights (children's and adults), postage stamps (10 per bag), thermometer and wallet Volunteer opportunities: - Donation collections: Organizes donation drives for items in order to meet the needs of families or to stock up CCRRP supplies - Driving teachers: Assists a client in learning how to drive, help study for permit test and help client practice for driving - English as a second language tutors: Helps with English lessons at the family's home - Family mentor: A volunteer is involved with a family about a month after arrival and once per week afterward. This time can include practicing English, taking them to the grocery store, or just chatting about life in the U.S. Commitment to the family is three months. Preferred group of 2-3 people, with friends, family or co-workers - Grocery shopping groups: Assists in purchasing basic food items to be available the day or night refugee families arrive into the U.S - Special projects: Engages volunteers in special projects to benefit the program which uses their skills and talents. Contact CCRRP with ideas for special projects. Background check, training and volunteer orientation required for some volunteering opportunities.

Fairmont children ages 5 - 15 are matched with an adult in Martin County. Girls are matched with female adults and boys are matched with male adults. Either may be matched with couples or families.

Mentoring program that matches youth ages 5 - 16 with positive adult role models

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the 7 Rivers Region offers school-based and community-based programs. Big Brothers, Big Sisters, or Big Couples act as a mentor and a role model by being a friend to a child; volunteers are carefully screened prior to being matched. Child and mentor spend 2 to 3 hours a week together. Volunteers are asked to make a one year commitment and children with disabilities will be served.

Adopt-a-block volunteer program: Raking, shoveling, and home repairs. Mentor program: Connects mentors in the community to work with residents to coach, counsel, teach, or model successful behaviors. Mentors are asked to commit to 1 year, 8 hours per week. Never Again, ex-offender services: Part of the housing with services program, these services focus on supporting long-term change. Includes career assistance. Spiritual fishing trips/retreats: Takes residents on fishing adventures that double as spiritual retreats. Veteran Outreach: Shelter or transitional housing, support groups for things like alcohol and drug use, medical appointment transportation.

Matches youth ages 7 - 17 with adult volunteers for one-on-one, community based mentoring. Matches are made based on complementary interests, personality, goals, identity and lived experiences. The agency with their community partners offers a diverse array of free and low-cost activities for mentors and mentees to do together. Program advocates provide ongoing, wrap-around support for mentor-mentee matches, checking in with enrolled families and mentors about once a month, with more frequent email communication about upcoming activities and events. Youth can stay enrolled in the program until they graduate from high school or turn 18 (whichever is later). Minimum of one-year commitment from both mentors and enrolled youth. Mentors are expected to spend 4 - 6 hours per month with their mentee.

Matches volunteers with a child, usually one child to one adult for friendship, encouragement, and self-esteem building. Other services include newsletters for parents and volunteers, plus group mentoring activities for youth to build socialization skills.

Program offers a preventive program for children by matching them with volunteer mentors who provide additional adult friendship and a positive role model.

Mentors can be Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Big Couples, or Big Families Target children include those who: - Exhibit poor social skills - Have few friends their own age - Lack adequate support and attention of a stable adult - Struggle academically - Have a parent/guardian who is or has been incarcerated - Have a family member in the military - Are eligible for free or reduced lunch - Have older siblings who have had significant problems with social or community adjustments - Are living in a single, separated, divorced or remarried family situation - Have a poor self-concept - Are dealing with the loss of or serious illness of a family member Mentoring programs include: Bigs on Campus Initiative: Volunteers spend time with their mentee twice a month over the lunch hour on a local college campus (St. Cloud State, Saint Ben's/Saint John's, or St. Cloud Tech & Community College). Matches spend time together on-campus only attending events, exploring, touring academic departments, and doing fun activities. Community-Based Program: this program allows the volunteer ("Big") to spend one-to-one time with his or her Little brother or Little Sister ("Little") out in the community or at home. Bigs spend 1 hour two to four times per month with their Littles and are asked to make a minimum commitment of one year to their relationship with the expectation that they keep in touch via phone or mail over the summer months. School-Based Program: while participating in our school-based program, the volunteer (Big) and their Little spend time one-to-one at the child's school. Bigs spend 1-2 hours per week with their Littles and are asked to make a minimum commitment of one year to their relationship with the expectation that they keep in touch via phone or mail over the summer months. School districts currently served include: - Foley - Holdingford - Pierz - Rice - Sartell - Sauk Rapids - Saint Cloud Site-Based Program: The volunteer spends time with their 'Little' at a designated site in the community. Activities can be one-to-one or involve other matches and may include various sports, board/video games, and crafts Sports Buddies Initiative: Volunteers and their mentee are paired up based on their mutual love of sports. Bigs and Littles only spend time together at agency-sponsored activities. 1 to 2 events per month are planned and all activities are centered around sports: going to local sporting events, attending sports clinics, playing games, and more.

Individuals, community groups, and businesses can support victims of domestic violence by donating materials or volunteering. Available volunteer positions range from court advocacy to roles in maintenance, mentorship, office assistance, public speaking, reception and transportation support. All items should be new or gently used. Bedding and Household Items: - Standard size pillows - Twin blankets - Twin Bedding - Towels and wash cloths - Cooking utensils - Pots and pans - Cookie sheets - Toilet paper - Paper towels - Air mattresses Infants and Toddlers: - Baby teething rings, pacifiers, bottles, bibs - Diapers, sizes 4, 5, and 6 - Pull-ups - Disposable wipes - Baby bottles - Baby Monitors - Baby formula - Pedialyte - Clothes - Boys underwear - New Car Seats Children's enrichment center items: - Family board games - Card games (Uno, playing cards, memory, etc.) - Barbies, baby dolls, Infant toys, dump trucks - Art supplies (paints, brushes, colored pencils, glitter, stencils, markers) - Office paper, colored construction paper, butcher paper - Combined easel/chalkboard - School supplies Transitional clients moving out: - Hangers - Kitchen mat - Soap dispenser - Dishes - Cups/mugs - Silverware - Pots/pans - Coffee maker - Microwave - Toaster - Blender - Can Opener - Peeler - Cutting boards/cutting mats - Toilet paper - Toilet brush - Plunger - Towels - Shower curtain - Cleaning supplies, mops, brooms - Curtain rings - Curtain liner - Wastebasket - Personal care items Pet Supplies: - Dog collars - Dog and cat harnesses - Dog and cat food/treats - Dog and cat grooming combs/brushes - Litterbox liners - Cat litter Other Items: - Large bottles of shampoo, soap, face wash - Band aids - Hair products for women of color - Feminine hygiene products - Bus Tokens (Dial-A-Ride) - Gift cards for gas, retail stores, or groceries - Books (adult and child) - Paint By Number (for adults and children) - Ladies business attire - Ladies bathrobes - Household tool kits - Women's 1x pants, pajamas, hoodies - Women's tennis shoes & sandals size 8, 9, 10 - File-type organizers - Planners All cell phones are accepted, including cell phones without chargers or accessories, and broken cell phones. If a phone can't be converted, it is recycled. To donate, simply drop off or mail cell phones to the Mid-Minnesota Women's Center

Program pairing children with student mentors from Carleton or St. Olaf Colleges for a 2 - 4 year mentoring relationship.

Program that helps youth ages 4 - 13 who can benefit from the influence of a consistent positive role model.

Volunteers are used to assist clients in providing transportation, providing friendly visits in the client's home, being a mentor to a child in need as a big brother or sister, and assisting in the annual Sharing Tree and Food Basket Projects that are organized through Marshall County Social Services

Mentoring program serving youth (ages 5-17) in Meeker County

Works to enhance the development of the individual through the many classes, activities, and programs offered for youth through adults. For Adults: - Computer and skills development classes - Recreational classes/activities - English language learning - GED and citizenship classes - Trips and activities for senior citizens - Big Buddy Volunteer Mentors For Youth: - Afterschool Adventures - grade K-6 - Dance - Preschool - 12th - Big Buddy Mentoring - ages 5-15 - Summer field trips - Teen Court - ages 13-18 - Skiing at Mount Kato - grade 7-12

Grace Place Outreach is a mentoring program for pregnant persons and families offering support and connections to services to help families live spiritually wholesome, safe, healthy, and productive lives and thrive within the community. Services may include: access to baby clothing and maternity clothing (limited); information on nutrition and meal planning, parenting, prenatal care, budgeting, and exercise; arts and crafts instruction; help with seeking employment; and support groups. People interested in serving as mentors for clients are welcomed.

- Board of Directors - Building and remodeling - Coaching, mentoring, and befriending families to become homeowners - Cooking and baking meals and snacks for volunteers on construction sites - Family Selection Committee - Finance Committee - Planning and carrying out special events - ReStore sales clerk and donation processing

The Foster Grandparent Program matches volunteers who are older adults with youth. This program will serve youth in a wide variety of settings including public and private schools, Head Start centers, shelters, day care centers and correctional institutions. Foster Grandparents offer one-to-one tutoring and mentoring for children from birth to 18 years of age providing extra assistance as needed (determined by the child's instructors). Lutheran social Services is actively seeking volunteers for this program. Volunteers receive an hourly tax-free stipend and mileage reimbursement.

- Board of Directors - Building and remodeling - Coaching, mentoring, and befriending families to become homeowners - Cooking and baking meals and snacks for volunteers on construction sites - Family Selection Committee - Finance Committee - Planning and carrying out special events - ReStore sales clerk and donation processing