This newly created project arises in response to the demands of professionals who assist immigrant and refugee communities, as well as the need identified by the young people of Migraespai, who point out the difficulty of settling into a new city and knowing the different existing resources.
In this sense, the volunteer program aims to accompany newcomers to the city in managing tasks such as going to City Hall, visiting the doctor, translating documents, and facilitating the acculturation process (popular festivals, learning Catalan and Spanish, how the transport system works, neighborhoods, etc.), among others.
At the same time, a supportive relationship is established with the volunteer referent to advise and accompany the person through this adaptation process, which we know is longer than the support services can sustain.
At a later stage, it is proposed that the same people who have received help can accompany others arriving in the city, thus increasing the group of volunteers and creating a mutual aid network.
In order to build this network and allow the group to deploy its own resources, meeting spaces will be created for both volunteer companions and users of the resource. This will be a space for accompaniment for everyone and for the exchange of experiences, information, and cultures.
The Foundation will manage the volunteers consisting of the Migraespai working group and interested individuals from the Board of Trustees and Friends of the Foundation, as well as other supporters who wish to join.
This program has just received support from the Barcelona City Council.
