Volunteering for LIA: How You Can Make a Difference
In these first few weeks of 2025, we have seen incredible community support for immigrant families in West Michigan. This outpouring of compassion and the true spirit of our community has been heartwarming and overwhelming. Receiving messages from community members willing to help reminds us that we are not alone in this work. Our Lightkeepers show a strong desire to help, the power of collective action, and the true spirit of West Michigan. This surge of support not only aids immigrant families but also energizes the organizations dedicated to their well-being.
Focusing on Strengths
LIA remains committed to its core mission of providing high-quality legal services to immigrants, and the organization is currently operating at full capacity. While the community's generous assistance offers- from transportation to clothing donations - are deeply appreciated, they would require our team to create and oversee additional programs. LIA simply lacks the resources to coordinate supports like grocery deliveries or client transportation on top of our existing programs.
To maximize impact and efficiency, LIA has identified areas where volunteer support can be most effective without straining our staff. These targeted volunteer opportunities align with LIA's primary mission and current capacity constraints, ensuring that community energy is channeled in the most productive way possible.
Here are some key ways you can make a difference:
Commit to regular and specific volunteering: LIA is seeking individuals who can dedicate themselves to one-time OR ongoing volunteer roles but cannot build multiple new volunteer programs at this time. Roles include various administrative duties and organizational and cleaning support roles. https://lia-michigan.org/volunteer
Complete necessary paperwork: All volunteers must undergo a background check and complete onboarding paperwork before starting.
Support immigrants in your immediate circle: Look for opportunities to help immigrant families you may already know through your children's school, neighborhood, or workplace.
The Power of Personal Connections
Remember, sometimes the most meaningful gestures are the simplest. A warm meal, a ride to an appointment, or just a kind word can make a world of difference to an immigrant family navigating a new environment.
By channeling our collective desire to help into these focused areas, we can ensure that our efforts have the most significant and lasting impact on the lives of immigrant families in West Michigan.