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When Molly and Jeff decided to sign their family up to volunteer with the ̽����ѡ in Silver Spring’s Family Mentor Program, they had no idea that it would fundamentally change the way they see the world. Over the past six months, they met weekly with a refugee family from Afghanistan, visiting museums and parks, going for walks, helping with homework and sharing their food and culture.

“Our role as mentors was first and foremost to establish a relationship,” says Molly Chehak. “We have spent time in parks smelling plants and exchanging the English and Farsi names, sharing recipes and dishes, laughing at our children’s baby pictures, playing chess, sitting in doctors’ offices and fretting over Back to School Nights.”

The resettlement process can inspire feelings of loneliness and despair in many recently resettled refugee families. A key goal of the Family Mentor Program is to provide refugees with a sense of belonging and community.

“When we first met the family, the father used in idiom in Farsi that indicated that they had felt like dead bodies and our companionship would awake them,” Molly said. Now, the family has achieved many goals they set out for themselves, including getting a license and purchasing a car.

“The family reminded me of the power of laughter and patience,” said Jeff Stout. “They take a long view of life and focus on the most important things to them, providing for the family and educating their children. I have a new appreciation for the power of making personal connections with people from other backgrounds and for the critical role that public and non-profit support systems play in people’s lives.”

Molly and Jeff’s children also enjoyed getting to know a refugee family. “We learned different traditions and food and made new friends,” they said.

Molly and Jeff have some words of wisdom for new mentors or those thinking of joining the program. “First, if you are thinking about doing this, do. You won’t regret it. Second, if you are just getting started, it is hard to know where to start. Be respectful of the family’s priorities and remember that just being a friend and being available for a question or an errand is significant,” said Jeff.

“Be willing to throw yourself in,” Molly chimes in. “It’s totally worth every minute!”

Want to develop a lasting friendship with a refugee family? Contact the Family Mentor Program Coordinator, Samantha Musson, at Samantha.musson@rescue.org.

Interested in other volunteer opportunities at the ̽����ѡ in Silver Spring? Email Volunteer Coordinator Mark Youmans at Mark.Youmans@rescue.org.