Volunteers make a world of difference at Keeping Our Promise. Volunteers support Keeping Our Promise's life-saving mission of safely resettling wartime allies.
There are so many ways to help, and we welcome you! Take a look around and click the volunteer button below. Thank you!
CARING CIRCLES Every arriving individual/family is paired with a small group from the community to provide friendship and support for a successful resettlement. Caring Circle members must be registered volunteers who have filled out the KOP Volunteer Service Agreement, and completed a background check. Volunteers will receive training and resources to help meet the needs of the Afghan friends they are paired with.
Pre-formed groups (churches, families, neighbors, etc) work best, but individual members are also greatly appreciated.
Each member of the Caring Circle offers whatever time they are able. The weeks after arrival are busy, but very rewarding!
Your church, synagogue, mosque or community organization can sponsor an SIV family for one year, and you do not have to be in Rochester to help! This is an easy way to help when your church, synagogue, mosque, organization or community group is not near Rochester. A $10,000 sponsorship can support a war-time allied family with first rent and security deposit, first food, home essentials, and a modest vehicle.
Vehicles for our families to get to work are an essential part of our successful resettlement program. Studies show that low income people with cars are twice as likely to find a job and four times as likely to stay employed. In addition, unreliable transportation is one of the primary reasons why they lose their jobs. Our families arrive with only one or two suitcases each, and limited abilities to get to jobs or appointments.
We work with each family to help one person per family get their license. Our car grants for each family are limited to $4,000, and the family must have a minimum of 100 hours volunteer time to qualify.
You can help with our Wheels for Work program by donating your used vehicle, or helping to fundraise for a modest car grant.
There are many fun ways the community can help fund the first month's rent, food or a modest vehicle to help a newly-arrived Afghan, Iraqi or Kurdish wartime ally family to Rochester. Schools, social clubs, families have all thought of meaningful creative ways to help a family who arrives with only clothes, and dreams of a new life in Rochester.
Community members have held Henna & tea parties, car washes, on-line gaming tournaments, bowling, dinner parties with friends, yard sales, spaghetti dinners, and more. If you have an idea, and wish to help a family, click the link below!
HOST A "FOOD FOR THOUGHT" EVENT!
"Food for Thought" is an opportunity to connect with Afghans who now call Rochester home, and hear about our services and programming.
All you have to do is share your gathering space, provide paper products, and invite 50-100 attendees, and KOP will provide a catered Afghan inspired meal served by Afghan friends resettled by KOP. Suggested donation is $60 per attendee, which supports KOP resettlement programs and services.
There are many ways you can help! Apartment setups, sorting in-kind donations, ride to appointments, or even doing an Eagle Scout project like Matt did by making coffee tables as a gift for our new families. Volunteers are always welcome!