Volunteer Opportunities

How to Volunteer with Us:

1. First, check out the volunteer opportunities below & choose ONE that works with you & your schedule!
2. Read our Confidentiality and Media policies. When you register, you will need to confirm you agree to these policies.
3. Then, click here to register as a volunteer*.  You will need to log in and create a password which will open to a profile page in Realm.org. Complete both contact and personal information/application questions in the personal information tab. Please indicate ONE volunteer opportunity in which you want to get involved. You can join other outreach opportunities later on.
4. Next, if the outreach directly involves the families, you will need a background check. We ask that you make a donation to Interfaith Welcome Coalition to cover the $14 cost but you are not required to do so. We still want you to volunteer with our families. You will receive a link from Verified First requesting permission to submit your information. The message will look something like this:
   Dear   .
   As part of your consideration for volunteering, you will need to fill out the background questionnaire found at the link below.  Click here to begin   The background questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and we recommend that you double check the information you provide for accuracy to make sure there is no delay in processing your background investigation.To remain in active consideration for volunteering, you must complete the background questionnaire within 14 days. It may take a few days to receive the link but check your junk mail tab in case the email is there. When your background check is complete you will receive a welcome letter that will give you information on who to contact to get started.
5. If the outreach doesn’t require a background check, after you ave completed your profile page you will receive a welcome letter that will give you information on who to contact to get started.
6. When you are through the process you may finally begin volunteering with us and positively impacting the lives of migrants!

*Privacy Policy:  The information collected in this application is for the purpose of establishing contact with you as a volunteer. Your information will not be shared with anyone outside of the Interfaith Welcome Coalition Leadership.

Important Notes About Volunteering:

• It’s a plus if you speak a second language, but it is not necessary. You will still make a huge difference!
• Teenagers must have an adult accompany them for their full shift. 

Questions about volunteering? Check out FAQs or email iwcvolunteersa@gmail.com

Why Volunteer with Interfaith Welcome Coalition Outreach?

The Interfaith Welcome Coalition Outreach Programs, which include the Bus Station Outreach & the Airport Outreach, are supported by & supplement the other outreach programs we run. The outreach programs provide a warm, comforting welcome and invaluable resources to migrants who have escaped unimaginable dangers in their homeland and have been released from American detention centers.

When can you volunteer with Interfaith Welcome Coalition Outreach?

These outreach programs run 365 days a year from 9 AM-10 PM! Some volunteers stay for up to 8 hours, while others volunteer for 2!  We love having volunteers who can dependably fulfill a regular shift, but also appreciate having those who might only be able to fill special needs like holidays.

Who: You will be great for this role if you are flexible; can remain on your feet for several hours; and be calm and positive in complex situations as you work within a team. Individuals with a delicate immune system will want to select a volunteer opportunity in advocacy or preparing travel supplies.

What you’ll do:

• Greet families.
• Distribute backpacks, lunches, and OTC medicines.
• Provide families with valuable bus route information.
• Explain itineraries for trip to sponsor
• Share key contact information for resources
• Help families to line up at the right time and place for departure

Where: Greyhound Bus Terminal (500 N. St. Mary’s St. Downtown San Antonio).

Who: You will be great for this role if you have ever printed your own boarding pass, gone through security, boarded a plane, and made a flight connection. Individuals with a delicate immune system will want to select a volunteer opportunity in advocacy or preparing travel supplies.

What you’ll do:

• Welcome and give migrants IWC backpack full of snacks, toys, & other essentials. 
• Work with an experienced leader and a team to get all migrant families through security smoothly and to their gates by their boarding times. 
• Make sure families receive assistance at their connecting airport(s) by communicating with airline staff. 
• Using our “pink sheet,” facilitate their understanding of legal obligations/rights.

When: A day shift at the Airport is 10:00 AM-3 PM. Evening shifts are from 7:00 to 11:00 PM.

Where: San Antonio International Airport

Who: A loving, strong support system for migrants attending ICE check-ins or Immigration Court appearance.

What you’ll do: Sit or stand quietly with the asylum seeker and provide support and the visual message that this person is of value and has US citizens standing in solidarity.

If interested, please specify on the volunteer application.

As families line up to travel to their sponsors around the nation, they receive a ‘double’ lunch to keep them nourished during the long bus rides. The lunches are provided by volunteers who purchase the supplies (cost = about $125 – $150), assemble the lunches, and deliver them to the bus station on their scheduled day. If you would like to gather a group together to provide this loving gift, contact Dawn Silvius at 210-559-6453 or dawnsilvius@gmail.com.

When released at the bus station or airport families have no money, food, water or supplies to provide comfort on their journey.  Our backpacks provide families with basic supplies as they begin their long journey, to reunite with loved ones around the United States. Indicate on your volunteer application if you want to help make these backpacks!

Please contact Linda Lowman at llowman@satx.rr.com if you are interested in becoming a part of one of our packing teams. There are times that we don’t need new volunteers and we work with you to make sure you have a good experience.

You can also donate to our Backpack Outreach here. You will find the list of backpack items here.

Got Questions? Click here for answers to FAQ’s.

Who: You would be great for this if you are social media savvy, have a passionate voice, and know the immigration issues. You must be able to parse through news often. 

What you’ll do:

• Speak out concerning any bills filed in the current legislative session that would affect asylum seekers, refugees, and at-risk immigrants.
• receive opportunities to engage in protests, marches, or campaigns related to asylum seekers, refugees, and at-risk immigrants. 
• Receive training to do presentations on local, state and federal policies/practices that impact asylum seekers,  refugees, and at-risk immigrants.
• Become a point person for your faith community to be a source of information regarding all immigration issues.
• Collaborate with other organizations which work with asylum seekers, refugees, and at-risk immigrants and support their work.
• Participate in interfaith prayer services.

When: The Advocacy Committee meets the second Thursday of every month at 9:00 am preceding the IWC General Meeting. 

Where: First Presbyterian Church

Why: To speak out about the issues!

Indicate on your volunteer application your interest in this committee!