New Neighbors Project

UNA-ORLANDO NEW NEIGHBORS PROJECT

The purpose of the New Neighbors project is to give UNA members, Model UN students, and others the opportunity to support Orlando-area organizations that regularly address the needs of families and individuals who have arrived to Orlando as refugees.

Several organizations in Orlando have been doing heroic work for a long time. To assist those organizations as they address the global refugee crisis, UNA-Orlando has created the New Neighbors Project.

By participating in the New Neighbors Project, UNA-Orlando members, Model UN students, and others can provide assistance in the following ways:

inform themselves on all matters related to the global refugee crisis and refugee resettlement
donate household items
help find homes for arriving families and individuals
help clean, fix, and prepare homes for use prior to arrival
participate in activities that will welcome refugees to Orlando as neighbors, not as strangers

Scroll down to view all opportunities to participate in the New Neighbors Project.

* Indicates required field

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Zip Code *

Telephone (if you can not be contacted by email) *

What languages do you speak (list your primary language first)? *

Donations

When people are forced flee their homes and travel long distances to find safety, they do so without their possessions. They arrive here with nothing.
If you look around your house, there are items that you might not think about so much but could be very useful to someone else. To make those
items available, use the "Donations" form below. Shortly after you complete the form, you will be contacted with information regarding an appropriate pickup time.

Consider items from the list below (only items in good condition will be accepted):

BEDROOM: beds (no King-sized), sheet sets, pillows & blankets, alarm clock, hangers, dressers
LIVING ROOM: couches & chairs, coffee tables, TV and/or antenna, lamps & light bulbs
BATHROOM: towels & washcloths, bathmats, shower curtains & rings, small wastebasket, toilet bowl brush, toilet paper
DINING ROOM: dining room table & chairs
MISCELLANEOUS: cars, bicycles, iron/ironing board, playpens/cribs/diapers
TOILETRIES: soap (hand and/or body), toothbrush & toothpaste, razors, deodorant, shampoo & conditioner
KITCHEN: pots, pans, & baking dishes, cooking utensils & knives, glasses/plain mugs, dishes (bowls/plates), forks/knives/spoons, mixing bowls, can opener, large trash can, rice cooker, cutting board, dish towels & pot holders
CLEANING SUPPLIES: sponges, paper towels, broom & dust pan, mop & mop bucket, bathroom cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, laundry detergent, dish soap, trash bags (all sizes), vacuum

Use this box to list your donated items (only items that are in good condition will be accepted): *

Continue scrolling to view all opportunities to participate in the New Neighbors Project.
Then click the 'Submit' button at the end.

Pre-Arrival Home Searches and Home Preparation

Once local agencies are alerted to the scheduled arrival of families and individuals to Orlando, there is a rush to find a suitable home and prepare the home for use in time. To participate in the effort to find homes for arriving refugees or to prepare a home for use, use the "Pre-Arrival" form below.

Would you like to help find homes for arriving families and individuals? *

Yes

Would you like to help prepare homes for use? (might involve cleaning, painting, plumbing, electrical, general repairs) *

Yes

Would you like to help to carry furniture, appliances, and other items into and out of homes? *

Yes

Would you like to help transport donated items? *

Yes, but I have a small car Yes. I have a large vehicle and can transport items small and large

Continue scrolling to view all opportunities to participate in the New Neighbors Project.
Then click the 'Submit' button at the end.

Post-Arrival Activities to Welcome Refugees to Orlando

There are many opportunities to welcome newly arrived families and individuals to Orlando, so many that they are too numerous to list here. Generally speaking, there are things we can do as "locals" that might seem small in our own lives but will prove to be extremely important in determining whether a newly arrived person's transition to their new home is an easy one or a difficult one. Anything we can do to help acclimate others to their new surroundings will be helpful to the individuals themselves but will also contribute significantly to building stronger communities in Central Florida.

General Examples of Post-Arrival Volunteer Opportunities

The list below is gives general examples of things that we can do to help make a person's transition to Orlando a bit easier. Click to the left of the activities that you might be interested in doing. As specific opportunities become available, they will be posted on the UNA-Orlando website. If you would like to be alerted to specific opportunities as they become available, choose your preference below.

Which of the following general activities interest you?

First Contact *

Greet newly arrived families and individuals at the airport

Events and Activities *

Provide support during events and activities Participate in the process of planning and organizing events

Language Assistance *

Help those who need it to improve their English language skills Help those who need it to read and understand important documents that pertain to housing, schooling, employment, utility bills, insurance forms...

Guidance *

Use your knowledge of Orlando to connect families and individuals with essential community resources Use your knowledge of Orlando to connect families and individuals with activities they might enjoy Use your knowledge of Orlando to familiarize newly arrived individuals with ways of doing things that are different from what they are accustomed Use your professional or academic experience to mentor newly arrived individuals

Community Support *

Encourage support for your new neighbors among your own friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers; push back against efforts to demonize refugees without fully understanding the complexities of their situation

Do you want to be informed when specific volunteer opportunities become available?

To stay informed on upcoming volunteer opportunities, which do you prefer? *

I will return to the UNA-Orlando website for updates... there is no need to contact me Call, text, or email me with updates

Click the 'Submit' button below to send your information.