We have updated our volunteer page on our website.  We hope that the way the site is laid out helps our supporters to better understand the many ways that they can help.  Most people seem to know about our Friday morning English and Kindergarten Readiness Classes at New Bethel in Germantown, TN, but many are not aware of what Asha’s Refuge is doing the rest of the week.  We like to say that our Asha’s Refuge Staff is willing to “stand in the mud” with our friends in need.  The rest of the week, we are often “standing in the mud” with our refugee friends!  We make routine visits to see our friends to transport them to and from the doctor, help them to make appointments or complete applications, go to the grocery store, play with the children, eat snacks or meals with them, register them for school, answer questions about their mail, help them understand their bills, teach them a life skill, listen to their concerns, pray with them and encourage them when they are lonely or sick.

The refugees we assist are typically in a very hard and stressful season of their life.  They are often afraid.  Sometimes they are angry.  There are times when they are sad or depressed.  And then there are times our friends are confused but happy.  Whatever the transition they are in, we want them to know that they do not have to move through the difficult situation alone.  We are here as an advocate and a friend to them and we will help them move through the complicated systems that they are required to move through in order to accomplish the goals they want to accomplish.  We want our friends to achieve a successful resettlement and look forward to their promising future. 

Asha’s Refuge does NOT want anyone to become dependent on us nor do we wish to design a life for our refugee friends based on our own beliefs or opinions.  We do, however, want to love our friends as Jesus would encourage and care for those He served (which includes all people by the way).  Asha’s Refuge has several volunteer opportunities that does not included Friday mornings.  Please take a look at the list of ways you can volunteer with us by clicking on the “volunteer” tab at the top of our screen.  Your help is always greatly appreciated.