Below are some resources that may be helpful to WITO volunteers or community members interested in learning more about volunteering to assist our current cohort of refugees.
Current Afghan Issues and Refugee Assistance Update
This video (January 2022), from San Francisco East Bay Resettlement Agencies and community-based partner organizations, gives a good overview of the current issues facing Afghan refugees seeking resettlement assistance.
CWS Community Sponsorship Manual
Linked is the volunteer manual produced by Church World Service, the umbrella resettlement agency that directs refugees to SOAR in Portland. It outlines guidelines for volunteer groups, including WITO.
Oregon Public Broadcasting interview
Linked is an interview with Toc Soneoulay-Gillespie, Director of the Oregon Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement. In the interview, Soneoulay-Gillespie discusses her life, her work experiences and her plans for this new office.