Volunteer Opportunities

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 in our REALM database.
   • Once you register you will receive an email asking you to verify your email
   • You will then be directed to complete some basic information
   • You will then be directed to a site called NEWS
   • On the upper right, next to your name you will see a small arrow
   • Click on the arrow and choose MY PROFILE
   • Choose EDIT PROFILE and complete all the information requested in the CONTACT and PERSONAL INFORMATION tabs
   • It is very important that you indicate ONEOUTREACH opportunity in which you want to get involved. You can join other volunteer opportunities later on.
   • Within a few days you will be contacted to complete a background check if you are having contact with the immigrant families or you will be contacted by a volunteer coordinator if a background check is not required.
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 basic supplies (food, diapers, OTC medicines, etc.)
• Help families understand and navigate the bus station.  
• Explain itineraries for trip to sponsor
• Share key contact information for resources
• If needed, facilitate transfer to airport or overnight hospitality.

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

When: (as of Feb 2021) Morning, Afternoon, and Evening Shifts 7 days a week. 

Who:  This is a ministry where you work in a team to welcome individuals and families to the airport and help them get to their gates.  You need to think on your

feet, be flexible, and demonstrate patience and positivity.  Speaking Spanish is

desirable, but not required.  Individuals with a delicate immune system will want

to select a volunteer opportunity in advocacy or in preparing backpacks for our

travelers.

What you’ll do:  

*Greet families as they arrive at the airport

*Give each family or individual a backpack with snacks and a toy inside

*Explain that you are going to help them get their tickets and prepare them to go

 through security and on to the departure gates

*Print their airline tickets; point out the gate numbers and seat numbers on their

 tickets and explain connections if they have one

*Explain what can and cannot be taken through security

*Take families to entrance to security; wait until they have been cleared to proceed

  to their gates.

Where:  San Antonio International Airport, Terminal B departures on the upper level  near American Airlines entrance (where immigrants first enter after being brought by bus).

When:  Volunteers needed Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Sunday’s from 10:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

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.

IWC provides migrant families a food bag to keep them nourished during the long bus rides.  Most pass through the San Antonio bus station on their way to their sponsors around the country. The food bags are provided by our volunteers who purchase the supplies, assemble the them, and deliver them to a designated volunteer who brings them to the bus station on their scheduled day. If you would like to gather a group together to provide this loving gift, please 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.