There are many ways to get involved and there is a lot of work that goes into mutual aid work between asylum seekers and community members. You can support the work that we do as a network volunteer, a housing sponsor, or with a financial contribution.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
All volunteers come to an orientation and training (~2 hrs) to learn about our framework, strategy and values. We run these monthly. If you’d like to get involved, please fill out this form, and then we’ll contact you about our next training dates: Network Volunteer Form. Here are some of the roles that Network volunteers can fulfill:
Join a committee: Health, Housing, Legal and Political Education, Fundraising, Social Media
Accompaniment: Rideshare, interpretation, coming with to doctor appointments, meetings, classes, ICE offices, hearings, etc
Tutoring or conversation buddy
Assist in ordering and delivering groceries
Assist in getting friends the clothes, furniture, and other basics they need
Take friends on excursions to local places to get to know the area
Share your strengths: We love support with finance, art, networking & technology, and are open to you dedicating your own passions
HOSTING
Newly arrived asylum seekers need housing, and often require a sponsor to help get out of detention. Sometimes, asylum seekers live with individuals and families in an extra bedroom in the house. Other times, various other arrangements are possible. Are you interested in this? Please fill out our host form. We’ll contact you and discuss various ways we may be able to proceed: Host Form.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
You can help us fundraise! Host a fundraising gathering for friends, neighbors, and family! Put on a concert or other benefit event! Send a fundraising appeal to your contacts! Share fundraising ideas! Use your talents or interest - art, bike ride, music! Donate and encourage others to donate through our website!
All contributions go directly to aiding asylum seekers in the hard work of navigating the legal process and establishing a new life for themselves. You can donate to our project here.
The Western Massachusetts Asylum Support Network is a project fiscally sponsored by the Peace Development Fund, based out of Amherst, Massachusetts. The Peace Development Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization: all donations to WMASN are tax-deductible through PDF.
CONTACT US
If you are an asylum seeker who wants to connect to us about getting support: [email protected].
If you are a community partner who wants to book a training or workshop, wants Know Your Rights materials, or wants to talk about a partnership: [email protected].