Want to help new immigrants?
Moving to the U.S. is challenging. Become a Buddy to help recent immigrants navigate resources and adjust to a new life. Anyone can sign up to be a Buddy, whether you're a native-born American or immigrant who has been here for a while. You’ll take part in a fulfilling cross-cultural experience.
How It Works
Sign Up
Intro to Immigrants
Intro to Immigrants
Get started as a Buddy through a simple form by clicking the button below. You will give some information about yourself to share with potential immigrants. As a Buddy, you will list the areas of support you can provide. (Note: any type of help related to the areas listed, including the ability to research resources, counts!)
Intro to Immigrants
Intro to Immigrants
Intro to Immigrants
After signing up, we will present your information to immigrants as they come through our pipeline. If an immigrant chooses to connect with you as a Buddy, we will reach out to have an intro meeting and learn more about you. We will also give you information about the immigrant(s), and you can choose whether to connect.
Form Partnerships
Intro to Immigrants
Form Partnerships
After agreeing to connect with your immigrants, we will facilitate a kick-off meeting where you can meet them one-on-one, introduce yourself, and set expectations for the partnership. Afterward, you have the freedom to decide your own activities. We will follow up regularly for feedback and support.
Buddy Testimonials
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!"