Refugee Family - Temple Sholom of Chicago

Join Us as We Welcome a Refugee Family!

It's been a few years since we welcomed our first Refugee Family, and we knew it was time to do it again! Temple Sholom is in line to welcome a family between February and April and there is lots to do. At the moment, we are accepting financial donations to help reach the total that is required for host organizations and volunteer application (please see below for both options). Be sure to keep checking this page as more information and opportunities becomes available.

(Our first family at the airport)

Temple Sholom's Monetary Commitment

Part of welcoming a Refugee Family includes a monetary commitment that helps support the family; rent, bills, groceries, additional shopping for clothing, etc. This is where we need your help! The minimum we need to raise is $10,000 and anything over will go to supporting our family once the official commitment ends. Though, our commitment never truly ends, does it? If you wish to make a financial donation online, please click the "Donate" button below and you will be taken to the donation page. Once there, click the drop down bar "type" and select Refugee Family Support 21-22. If you would like to make a donation by check, please send to the below address and put "Refugee Support" in the memo/note.

Temple Sholom of Chicago
Attn: Toby Sanders
3480 N. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60657

If you have any questions about making a donation, please contact Toby Sanders by email or at 773-435-1536. No donation is too small, and all money raised is greatly appreciated!

Target Registry & Furniture Collection

To provide our refugee family with the necessities they'll need as they move into their new apartment, we have organized a gift registry at Target for household items. You can browse and purchase items straight from our registry here.

We also need to provide our family with gently used furniture to fill their new home. Contact Toby Sanders by email or at 773-435-1536 if you have furniture we may be able to use. Please note that if we are able to use your donated furniture, you will need to be able to move your items to our storage locker.

Volunteer Information

If you are interested in volunteering with our Refugee Family in-person (tutor, mentor, etc.) then please follow the instructions below. If you believe your volunteer skills are better on the logistics end and not in-person (organizing schedules, setting up registries, keeping track of items donated), there will be opportunities for that as well. You can also volunteer in-person and on the logistics end, no need to choose if you don't want to.

Temple Sholom’s info meeting recording: https://youtu.be/giJNe2uebyg

Training for Tutors/Mentors (in-person volunteers)

FIRST, volunteers with client contact must submit the in-person volunteer application
Trainings are required for individuals volunteering as tutors and mentors.
- Click here for the first (this was held “live” on Zoom on 12/16)
- Rule 50 - 17 minutes to watch
- HIPAA Harassment and Mandated Reporter - 18 minutes to watch
- Volunteer Training: Rule 50/HIPAA Harassment/Mandated Reporter Quiz - 2 minutes to take
Should you wish to switch from a non-contact to a client contact role, you need to submit the volunteer application before you can make the switch.
ALL volunteers are expected to fully vaccinated against COVID regardless of client contact.