TRACTION Volunteer Form

Project Open Arms

Helping trans+ red state refugees relocate to safety

• Data Wranglers are the fact-finders of TRACTION, and primarily serve to support our Peer Navigators. This is a flexible and ad-hoc volunteer role, where you will functionally be on a list that Peer Navigators send out pending questions that need research to, so you can help find answers for clients who are relocating, and you can pick up questions as you have capacity. A strong knowledge of trans and queer culture, communities, and resources are preferred. Must be 16 or older.
  
  
• Intake specialists host initial 1:1 sessions with folks trying to get situated with us in our network. You assess their current situation and collect info, which is then passed onto the peer navigators. The scheduling for these can be flexible on your schedule, but requires being able to consistently make scheduled appointments, and to meet folks where they’re at, even in tough situations. Good people skills, motivational interviewing, and a strong knowledge of trans and queer culture, communities, and resources are preferred. Must be 18 or older.

• Peer navigators work 1:1 with folks throughout their move; collecting info for them, helping find them resources, giving direction, and talking through decision-making. You’d be the primary contact with TRACTION for folks relocating. We have a lot of resources for you to help in this regard, and is a bit more flexible of a schedule but requires a bit more individual pursuit of things than Intake would. Your caseload is flexible with however much you’re able to take on, but relies on you being able to be relatively responsive with folks. Requires semi-regular correspondence be done over email or with regular calls, plus our weekly case overview meeting. Experience in case management, social work, peer support, or counseling is helpful. Good people skills, motivational interviewing, and a strong knowledge of trans and queer culture, communities, and resources are preferred. Must be 18 or older.

• Resource providers are trans+ and allied people or groups able to provide services, funds, supplies (clothes, food, etc.) and other resources available to help resettle displaced trans+ people.

Housing or Rides: If you have temporary housing space or can offer a ride of any kind, please join the PNW Couch & Ride Network. (Note: This link will open a CryptPad form for you to complete.) The network is a trusted community partner. TRACTION does not manage the network, its data, or those who participate.