When a Central African Republic family stepped off the plane at O’Hare Airport for the first time last year, Gail Nusekabel was there to greet them. She had never met this family of four before, but she was ready to help them as they embarked on a new life in the U.S.

Along with other members of her synagogue, Sukkat Shalom, Gail volunteers as a JCFS Chicago HIAS Immigration & Citizenship mentor, helping refugee families get acclimated to living in a new country.

“I enjoy working with HIAS and our Sukkat Shalom volunteer group to mentor people with different religious and cultural backgrounds",” said the recently retired occupational therapist.

For their first meeting at the airport, Gail was joined by a HIAS caseworker and some friends the family knew from the refugee camps who were now living in Evanston. Gail brought with toys for the children and some bakery treats, and the friends showed up with welcome signs and were very helpful translating Sango to English, Gail said.

Over the past year, Gail and other volunteers from her synagogue have visited with the family several times a month to help them with a variety of tasks, including teaching them how to take public transportation to the grocery store, setting up their internet services and bank accounts, navigating doctor’s appointments, finding a bike route from their apartment to a job interview, and much more.

The mother had some long-term health and disability issues, so Gail’s background in occupational therapy was especially useful in assisting her with seeing the right doctors and learning to live independently.

"I have found it very rewarding to know I am helping other people and my volunteer time is making a difference to the refugees I have been assisting,” Gail said, adding that both the Central African Republic family and an Afghan family she had worked with previously are Muslim.

She said the time commitment is not overwhelming and that more people should consider becoming mentors for refugee families through HIAS.

After a year of supporting the family, Gail said they have become more independent, and their relationship has shifted to one of friendship. The family recently welcomed a baby boy, and Gail was there to visit the new addition a week later.

“It has been enriching to work with a young family, develop a relationship with each of them, and help them integrate into their new community,” Gail said.

HIAS needs more people like Gail to volunteer as mentors to refugee families. Sign up as a group with family, friends or co-workers, or get matched with a group for a wonderful team-building experience. HIAS provides training for all volunteers. For more information, go here and click on HIAS Refugees – Individual Mentor.