International Neighbors

Founded in 2015 by Kari Anderson Miller, International Neighbors helps refugee and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) families find security and a sense of home in Charlottesville. Its cornerstone Great Neighbor Guide program matches one local family with one newcomer family for at least six months of friendship and guidance. Volunteers also provide rides to appointments, deliver weekly groceries from the Loaves & Fishes food pantry, offer ESL tutoring, help families with school, medical and job forms through the outreach team, and support the organization through grant writing. Training (and a background check for Guides) is provided; information and training sessions are held monthly.