MANA’s Welcoming the Stranger Program matches volunteers with asylum seeking individuals or families, to provide a warm welcome to the Greater Portland community.
Welcoming the Stranger
Photo Credit: Aimable Nduwayezu, Liany Media LLC
Join the Program
Welcoming The Stranger home > Join the Program
“G. and I are besties. She is an awesome mentor, and often, we have been doing activities outdoors. Thank you for choosing this amazing, heartly person. I'm really happy and grateful to you.”
-S. (WTS Program Participant)
What kinds of things do mentors and participants do together?
ride together to appointments or errands
fun activities in the area such as parks, Children's Museum, the beach, community events
conversation to practice English or ask questions about American culture
work together to find and access resources, like school registration, social services, food banks, clothing, legal resources, furniture, etc.
collaborate on logistical tasks that require strong English, such as phone calls, applications, sorting and understanding mail.
Who are our program participants?
They have come to Maine recently with the intention of seeking asylum. Some are single adults, many are families.
Most come from central and east African countries (DRC, Angola, and Rwanda are most common), but we represent a total of 41 countries on 4 continents.
Most are English language-learners who speak basic conversation-level English, though some speak English fluently, and others are brand new to English.
They are excited to form cross-cultural friendships, get to know their new community, and join in making Greater Portland a welcoming and inclusive multicultural community.
Photo Credit: Aimable Nduwayezu, Liany Media LLC
Who are our volunteer mentors?
They may be American-born, or they may have immigrated to the US several years ago.
They all speak English, some speak other languages as well (basic French and Spanish are most common).
They are excited to form cross-cultural friendships and they are committed to making Greater Portland a welcoming and inclusive multicultural community.
They commit to spend a couple hours each week building the relationship and assisting where they can.
I think I want to be a volunteer mentor! Now what?
Fill out an application here. The application is NOT a commitment to volunteer, it’s just the first step.
After you apply, we’ll schedule a Zoom info session where you can learn more about the program, ask any questions you have, and figure out if the program is a good fit for you.
I think I want to have a mentor! Now what?
If you are an asylum seeker and you want to have a mentor, fill out an application here.
Someone will call you to explain the program better in your best language, and figure out if it’s a good fit.
We do have a waiting list, so it will be some time before we can match you with a mentor.
