Connecting immigrants with Buddies who help them adjust to life in America
Join our free peer-to-peer support network today.
Buddies (friends and mentors) can support immigrants with:
Finding Employment
Navigating American Culture
Navigating American Culture
Navigating American Culture
Navigating American Culture
Navigating American Culture
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Becoming & Making Friends
Navigating American Culture
Becoming & Making Friends
Understanding Healthcare
Understanding Healthcare
Becoming & Making Friends
Finding Housing
Understanding Healthcare
Accessing Transportation
Accessing Transportation
Understanding Healthcare
Accessing Transportation
Document Assistance
Daily Skills & Living Assistance
Daily Skills & Living Assistance
Daily Skills & Living Assistance
Daily Skills & Living Assistance
Daily Skills & Living Assistance
Navigating Education
Daily Skills & Living Assistance
Navigating Education
Learning English
Finding Services for Children
Navigating Education
Finding Legal Services
Finding Services for Children
Finding Services for Children
Finding Services for Children
Finding Services for Children
Finding Services for Children
Our Impact on Immigrants
Izel, Turkish Immigrant (Houston, TX)
"Joining the Immigrant Buddies program has been incredibly helpful for me. After moving from Turkey to the US, I faced the challenges of adapting to a new culture. Luckily, I met amazing people through Immigrant Buddies who have been a great support. Chatting with them also helped me practice my English. Having a Buddy's support during the adaptation process was really valuable, making me feel more at ease and helping me settle in faster. Plus, making local friends through the program kept me social. Thanks to Immigrant Buddies, adjusting to my new life in the U.S. has been much smoother and more enjoyable."
Congolese Immigrant, Refugee (Houston, TX)
"The first time coming into a new country, there is so much to learn about the culture, the city, how to pay for things, how to go to the doctor, etc. But if you don't have anyone to ask it becomes difficult. I believe word of mouth can help you achieve all that. Having a Buddy made my life easy because you get to ask them how to do it."
Trinbagonian Immigrant, Employment Visa (Houston, TX)
"My experience with the program has been amazing. My Buddies have addressed my questions and concerns and was always willing to offer advice and share knowledge and thoughts. I can appreciate this being done since it has helped me along with my transition."
Haitian Immigrant, Refugee (Houston, TX)
"The Buddies are great... I've been to the museum with Jerrod, I've had several calls with Haana for advice and language lessons and it's been good. Rob and I talk a few times... I want to thank you again for this initiative. They are really kind, considerate and helpful."
Iranian Immigrant, Refugee (Houston, TX)
"We had great time together. And almost every other day we are talking. She [my Buddy] send me a couple sites for learning English. And I ask her questions. At all it was perfect for me... thanks for your support."
Our Impact on Buddies
Haana, Buddy (San Francisco, CA)
"Being part of the Immigrant Buddies program has been quite an impactful and enriching experience. As a Buddy, I am able to connect with immigrants and refugees from all backgrounds. Witnessing immigrants successfully secure employment and navigate the process of obtaining licenses has been both rewarding and motivating. I like to boost confidence in each immigrant through activities like practicing English, social support, and providing any resources to assist. I appreciate the program's dedication to empowering its participants and am excited to continue contributing to this positive journey."
Rob, Buddy (Los Angeles, CA)
"Being a buddy is a door to meet people from many cultures and backgrounds. It also allows me to use my skills of providing knowledge and being compassionate towards helping people trying to navigate the US."
Celeste, Buddy (Houston, TX)
"Immigrant Buddies is a great program to help immigrants become rooted in their new home away from home. It is a great way to help guide others to feel less overwhelmed in understanding the new cultural norms, obtaining resources to get adjusted better, and have someone to talk that has been here longer."
Jerrod (Lance), Buddy (Houston, TX)
"The Immigrant Buddies program has been a valuable and exciting experience in both learning and development. It's great to get to know someone who is learning and new to the country and also to see things from a different perspective. I believe this program excels in significant positive exchanges with support of immigrants by connecting them with a Buddy, who are great resources to help with navigating. The Buddy program is very flexible and offered exceptional support in facilitating communication between my Immigrant Buddy and myself. I would definitely recommend joining the Immigrant Buddies Program!"
Partner Spotlight
For more than 20 years, Upwardly Global has advanced workforce inclusion for work-authorized immigrants, refugees, and asylees with professional experience and international degrees by helping them secure jobs at their skill level in order to ensure a diverse workforce, build resilient communities, and contribute to a robust U.S. economy.