Ways to Volunteer: Catholic Charities of Oregon

We recently reached out to a number of groups to gather particularized information about their volunteer needs. We received the following update from Catholic Charities of Oregon:

While we are not serving people directly at the border, we are and have been consistently serving refugees and immigrants of all status. We would love to have our attorney colleagues at OWLS (and non-attorneys too) volunteer and contribute in the following ways. While monetary donations are always gratefully accepted, here are some other way they can help:

Immigration Legal Services:
Catholic Charities legal volunteers participate in the day-to-day operation of Immigration Legal Services under the supervision of an attorney or accredited representative. Legal volunteers assist clients with their humanitarian and family-based immigration applications and petitions at all stages of the case. Tasks include interviewing clients, translating personal declarations, drafting motions and memoranda on legal issues, and preparing evidence for submission to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to work on motions and briefs for litigation in immigration court and attend immigration court proceedings. Volunteers work closely with attorney supervisors and receive regular one on one instruction and feedback related to their assignments. Catholic Charities requires a 12 hour/week commitment during regular office hours. If this option is not a good fit, our office also manages a pro bono attorney training and referral program for active members of the Oregon State Bar. Please email Sheridan Rueter at srueter@ccoregon.org if you are interested in volunteering with us. Thank you for your interest.

Refugee Resettlement:
The RR Refugee Restart Kit request is attached. We are always looking for kitchen kits, bathroom kits, new pots and pans, and new underwear in various sizes (for male, female, adult, and child). We could also use cell phones that are unlocked, in good working condition without cracks, and preferably no more than a couple years old. Opportunities to volunteer with refugees can be found on our website and our next Refugee Services Volunteer Training is on August 13, 2018.