Volunteer

City Boutique Manager

Join the Management team of City Boutique to oversee daily operations, including receiving, carrying, and sorting donations, managing volunteers, maintaining inventory, providing exceptional customer service, and driving sales growth. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, a passion for sustainability, and experience in customer service.

This is a great opportunity for those looking to build their resume or work experience, and has a lasting impact on City of Refuge’s mission!

City Boutique & Donation Sorting

City Boutique allows us to sell any excess donations we receive, and all proceeds from go directly into Refugee Care and Programs! We always need volunteers to help sort donations, run the register, restock and tag new items, etc. Fill out our application or contact us to let us know when you are available! We’ll accept any/all help, and you’ll receive all necessary training your first time with us.

English Buddy Program

The English Buddy program is a way to gain a deep and long-term relationship with a refugee and make a big difference in their experience here in Columbia.  Local citizens are partnered with refugees to provide them with friendship, guidance, and language acquisition mentorship. The partnership focuses on whatever the refugee needs: Helping them gain confidence navigating Columbia and its rich resources, language practice, and citizenship studies are among the most common things English Buddies help with. Buddies are usually paired by gender and meet in their refugee friends’ homes or in public spaces once a week for up to two hours. The program coordinator personally visits each family to ensure that it is a safe and suitable environment for learning. Volunteers are expected to be curious and observant in noticing the needs of their buddy, and creative and proactive in helping to address these needs. Our program coordinator is an experienced English Buddy himself, and is available for additional support or training. Additional resources are available, and all English Buddy volunteers join together in a community where we share ideas and experiences.

Driving Instructor

Transportation access can be one of the most influential pieces in the gap between surviving and thriving for refugees in Mid-Missouri. We are looking for volunteers to walk refugee students through a driving education course, which includes online training, driving simulation experiences, and on the road practice. Volunteers would be properly trained for instructing on-site and would not be required to use their personal vehicle for on the road practice.

Homework Helpers

The Homework Helpers program provides K-8th grade students with academic help in a fun, positive environment. Tutors assist students with homework and building critical English and social skills. Students come from a wide variety of ages, cultural backgrounds, and skill levels. You may be assisting with anything from learning the English alphabet to high school-level algebra! This program has two options:

Youth Impact Group

The Youth Impact Group program provides 9-12th grade students with academic help and community building in a fun, positive environment. Tutors assist students with homework and building critical English and social skills. Students come from a wide variety of ages, cultural backgrounds, and skill levels. You may be assisting with anything from expanding English vocabulary to high school-level algebra! Dinner will also be provided as a part of this program!

Front Desk Greeter

As refugees enter our front door, we rely on friendly faces to greet our friends and connect them with staff or resources. Our front desk volunteer will assist with many things, including helping refugees “shop” in our wardrobe and Basic Needs Closet. We have the following weekly shifts available:

Operations Volunteer

Help with anything from building maintenance, IT,  business partnerships, events, or any other partially skilled labor! With the transition to our new, much bigger facility, we are always looking for more handy folks that can help us grow and take care of our resources well!