DSC Volunteer Driver Video

Please contact [e-mail] for more information on becoming a volunteer driver.
Below are comments from current drivers
"Driving immigrants and refugees is my way of expressing my welcome to people who have been so demonized and mistreated by some politicians."
"I’m a volunteer driver because I see the many barriers immigrants and refugees have to hurdle in their quest to gain legal status here. Transportation is just one small piece of the bigger picture but it is something concrete I can do to help."
"I became a driver because I’ve always been a “ one world “ person and have always believed “ hands on work is better than donations. I love meeting new people - especially from a culture different than my own."
"There is absolutely NOTHING to be nervous about. The people I've driven are all very appreciative of our service and some are quite surprised that we would volunteer to do this (and not get paid!)."
"As a result of many mission trips I’ve taken over the years, I am very sensitive to the plight of immigrants having witnessed first-hand why people are willing to undertake this perilous journey to come to the United States."
"I feel like I am providing a valuable service for immigrants who are required to show up in these more distant places for security checks, biometric screenings, naturalization hearings, court hearings, etc. Most do not have a means of transportation and I think they value having a friendly person accompany them to these proceedings that they don’t always understand and are very anxious about."
"I accepted a ride to take a woman and her husband to the USCIS office in Milwaukee for her naturalization hearing. The ride there was mostly quiet. I was fortunate to be able to accompany them into the waiting area, which doesn’t often happen as it depends on how many people are in the waiting area. She was called in solo (the husband was hoping to go with her) to what I later understood to be an interview testing her English language and knowledge of the history and government of the United States. When the interview was over, she was given a sheet of paper that her husband asked me to read. She had passed with flying colors and now would just be awaiting final approval and the scheduling of her naturalization ceremony. Our drive back was celebratory as they chatted with family and appreciated their good fortune and thanked me over and over for being there for them."
"I did some refugee work in El Salvador and I understand the incredibly dangerous conditions many of these people are freeing; conditions that our governments had a great deal to do with causing. Helping to give people a chance to have a new and better life is very satisfying to me."
"It's important to remind people that we are not doing anything illegal here; in fact we're actually helping people comply with the legal system so drivers are not incurring any risk. It's also important to understand that you only get the rides you volunteer for: if there's a month or two when you can't do one it's no problem."
"I joined because I do best when I am actually DOING something to help people, not in planning meetings, although both have their role. I put myself in others’ positions and try to imagine how I would feel, what I would need and where that help might be. Dane Sanctuary Coalition does that, and I am happy that I can choose this one action to be that help."
"The satisfaction comes from meeting the people in person, seeing how grateful they are for this one small action, knowing that I have helped with one of the many steps they need to take to better their lives, to be safe."
"The time spent driving people to their appointments is one constructive and important way we can help people achieve their goals of becoming citizens, of finding safety and peace and community. We can’t do everything, but we can do that one thing, and maybe do it again. It is easy, as we have many choices on the schedules."
"Just try it. You can do as much or as little as your time allows, it is easy, and there is great communication from the coordinator. "