VOLUNTEER

Make a life-changing difference through serving with World Renew

From disaster response to cultural immersion, World Renew believes in educating and equipping volunteers to better understand, engage, and respond to the story of poverty. When you volunteer with World Renew, you have the chance to deepen your faith, stretch your thinking, and invest in beloved children of God who are experiencing distress. This experience will change you in ways we hope will direct your sense of justice for the whole of your life. Discover how you can be a changemaker with the opportunities below.

VOLUNTEER

Make a life-changing difference through serving with World Renew

From disaster response to cultural immersion, World Renew believes in educating and equipping volunteers to better understand, engage, and respond to the story of poverty. When you volunteer with World Renew, you have the chance to deepen your faith, stretch your thinking, and invest in beloved children of God who are experiencing distress.

Ongoing applications for International Relief Managers open with training and preparation offered virtually. 

DRS Managed Reconstruction Sites 

Primarily individuals and couples, one to three weeks.

Please note our offices remain closed at this time. To sign up, or if you have questions, contact Diana at [email protected] 

Fall Reconstruction Trips:
Updated COVID protocols will be communicated throughout the summer as we transition through the stages of volunteers and staff getting vaccinated. Please stay looped into the Opportunity Link that will post the current updates and changes.

New Bern, North Carolina 
Set up/drivers needed: 10/1-10/9
Team #1 10/9-10/30
Team #2 10/30-11/20
Team #3 11/20-12/11

Victoria, Texas
A few volunteers to help open may be needed the week prior to 10/9
Team #1 10/9-10/30
Team #2 10/30-11/20
Team #3 11/20-12/11

Dickinson, Texas
Opening around 10/2 with volunteers for shower trailer repair, opening volunteers may arrive around 10/6 or 10/7
Team #1 10/9-10/30
Team #2 10/30-11/20
Team #3 11/20-12/11

Orange, Texas – New Site
Set Up Team/drivers needed: 10/10-10/16
Team #1 10/16-11/6
Team #2 11/6-11/27
Team #3 11/27-12/11, two-week team

Rio Grande Valley, TX – New Site
Set up/move drivers needed: Oct. 10-15
Team #1 10/16-11/6
Team #2 11/6-11/27
Team #3 11/27-12/11, two-week team

Puerto Rico
Dates for this site may not begin until late fall or Jan 2022 depending on the US/Canadian border opening.

Needs Assessment Forecast:

We continue to support communities that have been impacted by disaster by training local volunteers in completing forms and data entry through virtual training, and by providing tools and leadership throughout the process. We look forward to sending DRS Needs Assessment volunteers to sites in person in the future, where they can support disaster survivors and serve those in need. At this time, we do not have any active Needs Assessment requests that will require DRS volunteers.

Groups Program:
For church, family, business, and school groups.

Detroit, MI (projected for July/Aug)
Detroit flooded again the last weekend of June. Almost 2,500 households have asked for help recovering from the damage inflicted by this disaster.  DRS will be sending weekly teams from our Byron Center, MI office for the foreseeable future. We will be departing on WEDNESDAYS AT 7 AM and returning by 7 PM. We would love to send other teams on other days.  This is not a highly skilled volunteer deployment. Almost anyone willing to get dirty and sweat will provide valuable assistance to families suffering from flooded basements.

Woodridge, IL (projected for July, perhaps longer if needed)
Local disaster recovery groups have asked DRS to send volunteers to help with tornado damage in/near Woodridge, Illinois (near Naperville in the Chicago suburbs).  Workers are needed for general cleanup, helping to empty damaged homes and apartments, and to clear downed/damaged trees from properties.  One-day volunteers are needed for this critical work.  Please contact Chris for the most up-to-date information on how you can help.

Pamlico County, NC (projected Sept-Nov)
Pamlico County, North Carolina is still recovering from Hurricane Florence (2018).  We are actively recruiting one-week volunteer teams to serve in Pamlico County this fall. Housing will be at a Disciples of Christ camp with great facilities.  The need is great here!  Many of these families have been living in damaged homes for almost 3 years.

Omaha, NE: (projected Sept/Oct)
The community of King Lake, Nebraska (just outside of Omaha) was completely underwater from flooding in March 2019 and approximately 20 families are still waiting for help. Group housing for one-week volunteers is in a nearby church with a kitchen and showers.  We are focusing our energy on getting as many people back into their homes as possible before the snow flies and work slows down for the season.  Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota churches, student groups, and other volunteers are especially encouraged to consider this option as it is so close.  If your group wants to go even for just a couple of days, we have options to make that work for you.

Please contact Chris Gibson at [email protected] for more information.

Program: International Relief Managers
Location: Virtual training
Date: Ongoing intake 

Learn More

Global Volunteer Opportunities

World Renew takes responsibility for its management and support of individuals and volunteer groups seriously.  After reviewing risk management protocols weighting that against the current COVID-19 breakouts along with the rollout of vaccinations for North Americans and the countries where World Renew normally conducts individual placements, discovery tours, corporate groups and church partnership visits against the risks associated with physical in person placements, a decision has been made that no volunteers or teams will be placed for the remainder of 2021.

In keeping with our philosophy of “do no harm” and to ensure safety for our staff, partners and communities, travel and in-person visits will resume when the health and safety of our communities and its members can be assured and once the International COVID monitoring response team has green lighted international travel for volunteers and groups.

Virtual volunteer opportunities and internships are in development and will be posted Spring 2021. Sign up below to be notified when applications will be accepted.