Thank you for your interest in volunteering with God Is Good! We have Level 1 volunteers which require a background check but minimal training. Level 1 volunteers are typically janitorial, in the donation center, or are one-time opportunities. Level 1 volunteers can assist with janitorial services, office work & other immediate needs, sort, organize and fill orders, assist in housing set-up and clean-up, yard work, special event preparation & more.
Level 2 volunteers require background checks, and training before they will be able to serve face-to-face with refugees.
Level 2 volunteers will work directly with our refugee clients and help them on their journey to self-sufficiency. Level 2 volunteers require additional training and a completed background check prior to working with refugee clients.
Volunteer Opportunities
Please consider applying for one of our top opportunities!
Janitorial – Level 1
Primary responsibilities include dusting, vacuuming, emptying trash, organizing, cleaning windows, etc.
Requirements: Must be available during the work week, between 9 AM and 4 PM. Preferred commitment: work at least twice a month for at least 3 hours. Six-month commitment is required.
Marketing/Social Media Volunteer – Level 1
Primary responsibilities – assisting with marketing the organization and the programs. Creating, producing, and making ready monthly donor letters, and newsletters, creating content for and updating social media channels. This position can work virtually.
Requirements: Skilled at marketing/social media engagement. Marketing degree and/or experience preferred but not required. Preferred commitment: work at least twice a month for at least 3 hours. A six-month commitment is required.
Donor Development – Level 1
Primary Responsibilities – assist in donor development activities/events. This individual has the option to work virtually, except for events.
Requirements: Preferred commitment: work at least twice a month for at least 3 hours. A six-month commitment is required.
Human Resources – Level 1
Primary responsibilities – assist with day-to-day HR activities.
Requirements: Must be available during the work week, between 9 AM and 4 PM. HR degree and/or experience preferred commitment: work at least twice a month for at least 3 hours. Six-month commitment is required.
Accounting – Level 1
Primary responsibilities – assist with day-to-day accounting/financial activities.
Requirements: Must be available during the work week, between 9 AM and 4 PM. Must have an accounting degree and/or experience. Preferred commitment: work at least twice a month for at least 3 hours. Six-month commitment is required.
One-Time Opportunities – Level 1
1) Warehouse Help/Donation Sorting – We need assistance maintaining the order of our warehouse by way of sorting donations, assembling furniture from boxes, organizing closes, and/or staging furniture. Please let us know if you are available to assist with this need.
2) Apartment Setups – We are currently expecting a large volume of refugee cases to be added to our community, and we will need help setting up those apartments or rental houses. This would involve unloading moving trucks, lifting/carrying furniture and boxes, and/or unpacking household items to be placed neatly in the new home. Please let us know what your availability is when you complete an application, as we are often given very short notice to when a new refugee family arrives and need volunteers to be on call if needed.
Admin Volunteer – Level 2
Primary responsibilities include answering phones and checking in clients, making copies, entering data, and welcoming guests. Expect a fast-paced environment with high traffic times, clients who speak minimal English, and little interpretation help. This is a good opportunity to volunteer individually or with a friend!
Requirements: Must be available during the work week, between 9 AM and 4 PM. Preferred commitment: work at the desk twice a month for at least 3 hours. Six-month commitment is required.
Teach English – Level 2
Classroom Teacher: The success of resettlement largely depends on a refugee’s access to English instruction. Volunteers will teach English 1.5 hour classes weekly at God Is Good. All materials and curricula are supplied.
Requirements: Preferred commitment: Teach at least one 1.5 hour class per week for 6 months. Classes are scheduled for Monday – Thursday at 9:30A and 11A. Volunteers must complete, background checks, trainings and class observation. Teaching experience is suggested but not mandatory and ESL experience will be given preference.
Teach/Serve in Preschool area – Level 2
Classroom Teacher/Assistants: The success of resettlement largely depends on a refugee’s ability to learn what God Is Good is teaching. Because many of our refugees have children that may not be school age and have not yet found daycare options, God Is Good utilizes this time to help the children learn the language and other skills necessary. Volunteers will teach/assist while parents are in classes at God Is Good. All materials and curricula are supplied.
Requirements: Preferred commitment: Teach/Assist for at one least 3 hour of class per week for 6 months. Classes are scheduled for Tuesday – Friday from 9:00A and noon. Volunteers must complete, background checks, training, and class observation. Teaching experience is suggested but not mandatory and ESL experience will be given preference.
Conversation Partner – Level 2
Having a conversation partner provides newcomers with the opportunity to practice their English-speaking skills. This is a great resource for refugees to supplement the skills that they learn in their ESL classes, as well as for those volunteers who thrive with one-on-one situations. This opportunity often evolves into a newcomer having a social connection that also helps them to successfully integrate in life in America.
Requirements: Preferred 6-month commitment. Must be able to meet with the refugee individual or family 2-4 times per month at God Is Good. Volunteers must complete, background checks, trainings and class observation
Teen Mentor – Level 2
Refugee youth face unique challenges as they adapt to life in the United States. A mentor provides guidance on how to navigate US culture as a teen and walks with refugee youth as they work towards their future goals. Mentors provide encouragement and support to assist refugee teens in setting themselves up for success.
Mentors will be matched with one or two teens. Teens participating in the program will identify goals they would like to work toward with the help of their mentor. In the past, mentors have helped teens with homework, helped them study for the driver’s test, and taken them to get a library card. Additionally, God Is Good will hold monthly educational events for the teens that mentors and mentees will attend together. These will cover topics such as college readiness, employment readiness, and cultural adjustment, in addition to other fun activities.
Requirements: Preferred 9-month commitment. Must be able to meet with the refugee teen at least 2 times per month at God Is Good. Must complete God Is Good trainings, Stewards of Children Training (online), and a personal interview. This volunteer opportunity is a hybrid opportunity (both virtual and in-person).
Youth Tutoring Volunteer – Level 2
The Youth Tutoring program pairs refugee kids from 3rd –8th grades with an adult tutor who can help them navigate the U.S. Education system, help them with homework, and work together to achieve their educational goals and wishes. The tutor meets with the student at a minimum of 2 hours a week to work with the student on their educational needs. The Program also offers quarterly group activities with God Is Good for students and tutors to learn and have fun together. The events consist of educational and fun activities for both adults and children.
Requirements: Preferred 1-year commitment. Must be able to meet with the refugee student at least once a week (2 hours minimum). Preferably with educational or tutoring experience, but not required. Must complete background check, God Is Good trainings, Stewards of Children Training (online), and a personal interview. This volunteer opportunity is a hybrid opportunity (both virtual and in-person).
Life Skills Mentor – Level 2
Working with a mentor helps newcomers attain a better grasp of American culture, successfully integrate into their new community, and achieve personal goals. Refugees will identify goals to work towards with their mentors. Goals might include practical skills such as grocery shopping, budgeting, banking, or getting acquainted with modern technology. This is a great opportunity for families, as children have a special ability to form cross-cultural friendships.
Requirements: Preferred 6-month commitment. Must be able to meet with the refugee individual or family 2-4 times per month. Must complete background check, and training in addition to Refugee 101.
Bus Training Volunteer – Level 2
The God Is Good Bus Training Program seeks to assist newcomers in achieving self-sufficiency as they learn how to navigate their city via the bus system. Refugees will identify their goals in travel skills. This would always include learning how to get from their home to God Is Good but could also include learning how to travel to the grocery store, their job, their school, or even public service locations (like the Social Security office or their local BMV). Volunteers and clients alike will have the opportunity to learn more about the city of Indianapolis, enjoy some sights along the way, and develop friendships based upon shared experience.
Time Commitment/Requirement: Preferred 3-month commitment. Operating hours for this opportunity range between 7A – 4P on Monday through Friday. Outings generally take a minimum of 3 hours round trip. Please communicate availability within this window – volunteers should be prepared to be called upon approximately 1 week in advance (it is not mandatory to accept every opportunity – just be willing to be asked). Must complete background check, and training in addition to Refugee 101.
R+P Transportation Volunteer – Level 2
The R+P (Reception and Placement) Program seeks to provide support to our case management team by transporting newcomers and their families to initial health screenings, grocery store outings, bank visits, and more. This is a great way for volunteers to provide practical and emotional support to refugee families as they learn to navigate the American medical system for the first time. Having a personal vehicle and space to take multiple people at a time will be mandatory for this opportunity.
Time Commitment/Requirement: Preferred 3-month commitment. Operating hours for this opportunity range between 7A – 4P on Monday through Friday. Please communicate availability within this window – volunteers should be prepared to be called upon between 1 week to 1 day in advance (it is not mandatory to accept every opportunity – just be willing to be asked). A copy of driver’s licenses and insurance cards will be required. Must complete background check, and training in addition to Refugee 101.
Be a Welcome Team/Co-Sponsor – Level 2
Perfect for faith organizations, companies, and civic organizations, Welcome Teams partner with God Is Good to assist a refugee family with adjusting to life in the U.S. Groups typically work with a family during their first 90 days in the U.S., but may also be placed with a recently arrived family who would benefit from support. Commit to at least 3 Welcome activities, such as meeting the family at the airport, setting up an apartment, providing transportation to appointments, teaching English, providing financial assistance (rent, utilities, school supplies etc.) and more.
Requirements: Preferred 90-day commitment. Must be comfortable working with individuals with limited English proficiency. Groups must complete a comprehensive training and all participants must pass a criminal background check.
Every volunteer opportunity listed here is important, regardless of need status! Please feel free to request the opportunity that is the best fit for you. All volunteers must be at least 18 years old. For help identifying the right volunteer opportunity for you, contact Barb Bias at 812.490.3184 or contact @Godisgood.org
Become a Volunteer
Thanks for continuing to offer your support to God Is Good!
To become a volunteer, you will need to complete the following steps:
Complete an application
Attend Refugee 101 Training
Complete background check. The cost for this is about $80
Attend a training specific to your chosen volunteer opportunity and trainings required to give you a better understanding of serving refugees and the requirements expected of God Is Good by state, national and federal offices
Youth mentors will be expected to complete an in-person interview
All volunteers are expected to abide by the policies of God Is Good Foundation.
If you have already completed your volunteer application, Barb will continue to communicate with you about training and other volunteer opportunities!