Multicultural association aims to increase volunteer strength in Sussex

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Volunteers with the Multicultural Association of Sussex (MAS) are coming together this week to network, share their experiences and highlight how the organization could add to its number of volunteers.

Scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24,  at the MAS offices at 593 Main St., the volunteer networking event will bring together those who have volunteered with MAS for a long time and those who may be new to the organization.

As well, said volunteer coordinator Henry Ofurune, it’s an opportunity for people who are interested in volunteering to learn about the organization and how they can help out in their community.

“We depend on our volunteers to help us at our events and activities,” he said. “This is to bring them together – both old and new – and see how we can network with them. It’s a platform for them to meet with the other volunteers and share their experiences and tell them what has worked well and tell us where we can improve. It’ll also give us some insight on what we can do to attract more volunteers and to better support our volunteers.”

MAS is a non-profit immigrant settlement agency that provides free settlement services, programs, language classes, and workshops for clients of all immigration status, its website states. It also provides supports for employers hiring newcomers, resources for educators, service groups, businesses, and organizations within the region and hosts numerous cultural awareness activities. The organization’s team of roughly 30 volunteers plays an integral role in making all of that happen, Ofurune said.

“The essence is to bring them all together and to find a way to show them what they are doing in the community and ensure they are helping newcomers integrate into our community,” he said. “We have many programs for newcomers.”

The volunteers who assist at MAS can carry out a variety of tasks and help implement the programs that assist newcomers settle into the Sussex area, Ofurune said. However, there are also volunteers who help by setting up and tearing down before and after the numerous events MAS holds throughout the year. The key, he said, is each volunteer provides help and can provide further help by sharing their experience and feedback with other volunteers and MAS officials.

“It’s an opportunity to build connections,” he said.