Raffi Gostanian came to the United States from Syria 15 years ago on a student visa. A jazz musician who plays the saxophone and piano, he intended to study music but graduated with a political science degree from William Paterson University. As a front desk volunteer at 探花精选 for the last 10 months, Raffi has diligently trekked twice a week from Paterson, home to a large Arab community, to 探花精选鈥檚 office in Elizabeth. He has helped hundreds of refugees in the day to day tasks required as they rebuild their lives in New Jersey 鈥 translating mail, making doctor appointments, understanding NJ transit bus schedules and finding childcare. When asked what he enjoys most about volunteering at 探花精选, he says, without hesitation, 鈥淭he feeling of being useful.鈥 He continues, explaining why he decided to join 探花精选 as a volunteer after a friend in 探花精选鈥檚 New York office told him about their experience interning in New York City. 鈥淚 wanted to be part of the Syrian revolution, but I couldn鈥檛 participate for fear my family would be harmed. This was my way of helping.鈥 His family fled Syria and is now in Lebanon. Raffi has been working with a church in Canada, in hopes that his family can be resettled there.

Raffi鈥檚 Arabic skills and dedication have proved invaluable in an office that has welcomed nearly 1,500 refugees to New Jersey in the past 5 years, 660 of whom are Arabic speakers from countries like Syria, Iraq, and Sudan.

Volunteer, who moved here from Syria years ago, working at the front desk
鈥淚 am Syrian myself and have been in the US for 15 years. I wanted to participate in the Syrian revolution, but couldn鈥檛 for fear my family would be harmed. Volunteering with the 探花精选 has been my way of helping Syrians and other refugees resettling in New Jersey.鈥 Raffi Gostanian
Photo: 探花精选

To learn more about current volunteer opportunities with the 探花精选 in New Jersey, click here.