Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Volunteering FAQs
Q: Are volunteer positions paid or unpaid?
A: All volunteer opportunities at Bridge Refugee Services are unpaid and self-supported unless otherwise stated.
Q: What are the volunteer application requirements?
A: Volunteers are required to submit an application, sign and agree to organizational volunteer policies, attend a volunteer training, and pass a basic background check. These steps are required to work directly with Bridge's clients.
Q: What volunteer opportunities are typically available?
A: Activities include but are not limited to: pre-arrival home setups, transportation to/from an important appointment, helping a client with their English language skills, showing a family how to shop for groceries or school supplies, interpretation, or youth mentoring. You are only limited by your imagination when it comes to getting involved in our clients’ lives! Contact us to learn more.
Q: Can we pick the refugee family or individual we want to work with?
A: We encourage our volunteers to be open and accepting of refugees from any part of the world, but we will take into account your particular skills and abilities.
Q: What age do I have to be in order to volunteer? Can students/children/youth volunteer?
A: Anyone age 18 or above can work with our clients without parental or guardian supervision. Families sometimes bring their children under age 13 with them to volunteer opportunities, depending on the activity. That would be an ideal way for your child to become involved under your supervision. We occasionally have chances for student groups to be involved as well. So please also reach out if you are looking for youth group opportunities.
Q: Can I bring my family or my children with me when I volunteer?
A: Yes, depending on the activity, many families enjoy volunteering together. Some volunteers set up apartments or houses, organize donation drives, or assemble furniture for future clients. If you are a member of a co-sponsor team or involved in a longer-term commitment with a client, you may ask the client you are working with if your families can spend time together. We encourage this bonding and ask that you request their permission first before bringing your family to a refugee client’s home.
Q: What is the time commitment for volunteering?
A: No matter your schedule, you can find a volunteer commitment that works for you. Because we have numerous volunteer opportunities, the time commitment ranges. You can participate as little or as often as you would like. Some volunteers donate their time to help at a few special events each year, some volunteer once a month, and some prefer a weekly program that lasts for a few months.
Q: Do you have any volunteer opportunities in the evenings or weekends?
A: Yes. If you are looking to volunteer in the evenings or weekends, we would love to have you! There are many opportunities to volunteer outside of the typical work week, including but not limited to, English language practice, grocery shopping, our youth mentoring program, and more. Please reach out for more info!
Q: Is it ok if I interact with a client outside of a Bridge scheduled appointment?
A: Of course! We encourage community engagement. You don’t have to ask for permission to be involved in a client’s life - as long as you stay within the bounds of Bridge’s organizational and volunteer policies you signed and agreed to abide by.
Q: Who do I contact if I have a question about a specific client?
A: As a volunteer, your best point of contact is a Volunteer Coordinator. Bridge volunteer department staff have access to client information, as well as a direct line to a case manager if necessary. However, if the client is asking you questions about benefits, Social Security cards, when they will get a job, questions about housing, etc., it is best to direct the client to contact their case manager directly with these questions. The case manager will have access to interpretation/translation services that will ensure the correct information is relayed to the client.
Q: What happens if there’s an emergency while I’m with a client?
A: If it is life-threatening, immediately call 911 before getting in touch with Bridge staff. If it is not life-threatening, then contact a volunteer coordinator before leaving the situation so that we can assist you in the moment. You will always be supplied with the contact info of your volunteer coordinators. We strive to preemptively set our volunteers up for success.
Client FAQs
Q: What is the difference between an immigrant and a refugee?
A: Immigrant: A foreign born individual who voluntarily leaves his/her country of origin and has been admitted to reside permanently in the U.S. as a Lawful Permanent Resident. Refugee: A person who “owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of their nationality and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail themself of the protection of that country.” An immigrant chooses to leave his/her country of origin. A refugee is compelled to seek asylum in another country.
Q: Who is an asylee?
A: An Asylee comes to the United States first and applies for protection after arriving here, whereas refugees generally apply for protection at a refugee camp or other processing site outside of their home country. Bridge serves both refugees and asylees.
Q: Are refugees considered “aliens”?
A: Under U.S. law, any person who is not a U.S. citizen (including refugees) and resides in the U.S. is considered an “alien”. Most aliens have some form of legal status in the U.S. and can be documented or undocumented.
Q: How is the U.S. refugee admission ceiling established?
A: The President establishes the ceilings each year in consultation with Congress and the State Department. Various organizations are invited to present testimony supporting specific admissions levels and their rationale.
Q: Who confers refugee status on those meeting the definition of refugee admissible to the U.S.?
A: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as a component of the Department of Homeland Security makes this decision. To qualify for refugee status in the U.S., a person must come from a country designated by the Department of State. The person must meet the definition of a refugee by proving a “well-founded fear of persecution.” In addition, a refugee must fit into one of a set of “priority” categories, which factor in degree of risk to the refugee's life, membership in certain groups of special concern to the U.S., and existence of family members in the U.S. Candidates for refugee status go through extensive background checks and interviews with specially trained workers.
Q: What is an I-94?
A: The I-94 is the refugee’s legal document and is stamped that this person is authorized to work. On the back of the document is the very important alien number. It starts with “A” and is followed by 8 digits. This document will be in each individual’s IOM bag and should be taken to all appointments to serve as a form of identification. A lost I-94 is difficult to replace and should always be kept in a safe place. Do not laminate the I-94 and if any mistakes are found, DO NOT alter the document, but notify a Bridge case manager.
Q: When do refugees apply for permanent residency and citizenship?
A: After one continuous year in the U.S. a refugee is eligible to apply for a green card, which is a change in status from refugee to permanent resident. Information and forms for application are available to clients from Bridge. After 5 continuous years in the U.S., permanent residents may apply for full citizenship.
Q: Can a refugee move to another city/state?
A: If a refugee expresses interest in moving, please contact a Bridge case manager. Some refugees may not clearly understand the ramifications of moving. Many of the resources and services available to them may be lost. However, if a move is necessary, Bridge will assist in contacting the appropriate agency, if available.
Q: Do refugees have medical insurance?
A: TennCare is available to…. Children under the age of 21, people who get an SSI check, pregnant women, women who need treatment for breast or ovarian cancer, single parents or caretakers of a minor child, two parents with a minor child living at home when ONE of the parents: has lost their job, had their work hours cut, or has a health or mental health problem expected to last 30 days. Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) is available for those that do not qualify for TennCare for a period of 8 months.
Q: When will the refugees arrive in Knoxville/Chattanooga?
A: Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) and the local affiliate (Bridge Refugee Services) have no control over the scheduling of refugee travel to the U.S. Travel is arranged through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) who provide interest free travel loans to refugees, which they begin paying after around 6 months in the U.S. The funds that are repaid serve as a revolving loan fund through which the travel for other refugees is paid. There are many factors that influence the estimated time of arrival for refugees who are overseas and in their country of first asylum. The most important factor is the availability of refugee admission numbers that are set by the President and Congress and are allocated by geographic region and ethnicity. Another important factor is the availability of flights from a country. Even after receiving a final arrival notice, there are times when the refugee individual or family is not able to get to the U.S. They are called a “no show.” Sometimes these individuals or families will have their travel rescheduled for a later date.
Q: Will the refugee individual or family have luggage when they arrive?
A: Depending upon the circumstance of the individual, some may arrive with a good bit of luggage and some may arrive with very little luggage.
Q: Will the refugee individual or family be healthy?
A: Prior to departure, each person receives a preliminary health exam to verify that they do not have any communicable diseases. If the individual has a serious medical condition, they will be held overseas and treated. Women over 7 months pregnant will usually be held until the delivery of the newborn baby.
Community Assistance Team FAQs
For questions related to Community Assistance Teams (CAT) or co-sponsorship, click here.
Chattanooga Specific FAQs
For specific questions related to the Chattanooga office, click here.
Knoxville Specific FAQs
For specific questions related to the Knoxville office, click here.
