Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries (FIRM)

Help newly arrived families and individuals learn how to ride the city bus!

Cultural orientation classes are a vital service provided to newly arrived clients to help them acclimate to U.S. culture, laws, and customs. Volunteer duties include teaching families how to use public transportation. Volunteering for this role offers a wonderful opportunity to have a meaningful impact on a client's or family's resettlement journey and to contribute to their self-sufficiency in their new home.

Steps:

1. Pick a day/time frame that is posted on BetterImpact and confirm with Isabella at (559) 213-0515. You will meet with a FIRM staff member to complete volunteer onboarding/training, conduct a background check, receive a single use bus pass to be able to travel with the families that you are guiding, and to download Tarjimly (translation app).
2. Isabella will give you the address of a location to meet the family at on a scheduled date and time.
3. Walk the family to the nearest bus stop, show them how to use the city bus pass that FIRM has already given them, board the bus, take transfers. Use the translation app as needed. Destinations will be decided during the training, but may include: FIRM, Department of Social Services, the grocery store, or Fresno/Clovis Adult School.
4. Return home with them on the bus to their nearest bus stop.
5. End your shift and arrive home! Make sure you log your hours on your volunteer sheet.