Bus Buddy
Position Description
Public transportation is essential to most New Americans who don’t have access to a car. The freedom to move within their new surroundings via public transportation allows new arrivals to build confidence as they learn to how to reach essential destinations like work, school, the grocery store or the doctor.
We’re looking for Bus Buddy volunteers who are patient, flexible and adaptable in communicating cross-culturally, and with non-native English speakers, to help newly arrived refugees and immigrants become self-sufficient riding the bus/train and understand the local transportation system.
Estimated hours:
At least three 1-2.5-hour shifts per month, for a minimum of three months.
Worksite:
Throughout the Twin Cities
More Information
- Assist newly arrived immigrants and refugees in becoming self-sufficient navigating, planning trips and riding public transportation. Each shift presents the opportunities to interact with someone new.
- Meet with clients at their homes.
- Explain briefly what you’ll be showing them. Ask if they have any questions.
- Ride bus/train with clients to their individualized destinations and back to their homes, explaining the process and important things to know (one trip expected per shift).
- Bus Buddies should be patient, flexible, adaptable and have good and creative communication skills.
- Required knowledge of public transportation systems
- Basic knowledge of smart phones, Google Maps and transportation apps
- Comfortable walking certain distances (i.e. – a few city blocks)
- Must pass a background check.
At least three shifts a month, for a minimum of three months.
You pick the dates and times that work for you from the following shifts:
- Tuesdays or Thursdays
- Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (starting on the hour at 11 a.m., 12, 1 or 2 p.m.)
- Shifts last 1 – 2.5 hours, depending on distance/length of specific trip.
Volunteers will attend an in-person training at the International Institute of Minnesota prior to connecting with clients.
Contact Us
Call or email us if you have questions about volunteering.
Kaela Schweisthal
Volunteer and Community Partnerships Manager
(651) 377-8663