Our Mission
“Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.” – Sherry Anderson.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
What Prevents Some People From Volunteering?
The need for people to volunteer is great but not everyone who feels the calling is aware that they can participate if given a chance. While there are several well-known reasons for not volunteering, there are also the less obvious ones that function as barriers. Research shows that not everyone who is qualified to volunteer can do so because of inherent socioeconomic barriers. Research has identified these barriers as a critical exclusionary factors to participation. We believe that we can deal with some of these and that we can build a better world by giving under sourced people the opportunity to volunteer with refugee children. They no longer need to sit on the sidelines but should be able to choose to participate in this human endeavor with the help of RAMP Foundation.
Few of us would disagree that the aspect of social contact in helping and working with others can have a profound effect on our overall psychological well-being. Research shows that it also generates indirect positive benefits for communities. People and groups working together can facilitate action, cooperation, trust, and reciprocity with others. In turn that leads to more prosperous communities, economies, and even healthier residents – and thus volunteering can make ours a better world.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of charitable organizations. They provide various unpaid services to allow refugee children and their families to become integrated into the American way of life. The need for volunteers is greater than ever. The national resettlement goal is significantly higher than last year – from 15,000 refugees per year under the previous administration to 125,000 in 2022 under the Biden Administration – not inclusive of the newly arriving Afghan and Ukrainian refugees.
The International Rescue Committee alone, which is one of nine designated resettlement agencies in the U.S., needs 2,000 new volunteers for its twenty-six locations this year to support their resettlement efforts. That is in addition to the thousands of volunteers they already have.
The benefits of volunteering can be far-reaching. Studies reveal that while over 90% of us say that we want to volunteer, only one out of four Americans does. There are some obvious reasons for this situation such as lack of time or lack of interest or not having been asked.
The Time Has Come to Break Down Barriers
Our solution is based on the premise that not so obvious barriers tend to keep people from volunteering with displaced children. These socioeconomic barriers deny potential volunteers access to unique personal growth and thus the opportunity to serve as powerful agents of positive change in our communities.
Do you have what it takes to volunteer with refugee children?
Do you want to change the odds for both the children and for yourself?
Are you ready to seize the opportunity?
It is yours for the taking!
Our solution to the problems is based on a simple concept: find, prepare, and fund volunteers for short-term assignments at specific charity organizations of their choosing. RAMP Foundation is calling upon that segment of our population that does not consider volunteering, because of a lack of financial resources and/or not knowing what to expect. We have experienced that personally, and here is how we have addressed and solved these two barriers:
• Not having travel funds – This is for those of us who sit on the sidelines eager to participate but we lack the financial resources to go. In the end, that means that many of us are barred from making this a kinder, more cohesive world!
• Not knowing what to expect –To gain confidence in any new venture, it is comforting and essential to know what lies ahead as you set your sails. As a RAMP Volunteer, you have access to focused online training to prepare you for a more meaningful and effective mission with a charity organization of your choice. Such training includes learning to understand and appreciate cultural diversity, the effects of being forced from one’s homeland, as well as learning about ages and stages of child development.
As part of the application process, we are asking you to familiarize yourself with child refugee charities. Our Partners’ page features an interactive map with links to over 300 U.S. based resettlement organizations. They will help you to understand their mission, work procedures, and the diverse tasks they may have for their volunteers. And it is necessary for you to have arranged a volunteer assignment with a charity before you can apply for travel funds at RAMP Foundation. To help you in your search for a perfect fit of your talents, you may also wish to check out online charity evaluators such as Guide Star and Charity Navigator.
RAMP Foundation is staffed “by volunteers for volunteers”. It serves as an online home for volunteers and reflects our mission and vision:
The Mission of RAMP Foundation is to marshal the power of volunteerism, specifically as it affects displaced children and their families.
The Vision of RAMP Foundation is that we deeply believe in the power of compassion to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the future.
