The Refugee + Immigrant Volunteer Summit (RAIVS) is a cornerstone event designed to educate, empower, and connect community volunteers, faith communities, and service providers who support and welcome refugees and immigrants in Richmond.
Through professional development, training, and community-building, RAIVS seeks to strengthen allyship across the region and help build a more welcoming environment for newcomers.
This year, the Refugee + Immigrant Volunteer Summit (RAIVS) will be held in-person, over two days.
Friday, February 21, 8:30 - 4:30 at First Baptist Church
Friday will be a day packed with applied learning and time of connection with others working alongside newcomers.
Breakout Sessions:
Secondary Traumatic Stress
Volunteering: Engagement, Retention, + Sustainability
Immigrant Integration in 21st Century Virginia
AI Technology: Revolutionizing or Restricting Language Access?
Newcomers’ path to Employment Success Panel
An Afghan lunch will be provided for all participants.
Saturday, February 22, 9:30 - 1:00 at The Virginia Museum of History and Culture
Saturday will focus on the landscape of immigration in 2025, hearing from local and national leaders on how we can effectively engage.
Featuring virtual keynote speaker Lucas Guttentag, founder of the American Civil Liberties Union Immigrants’ Rights Project and expert on immigrant services and advocacy.
Saturday will also feature:
A networking breakfast and tables from event partners.
Discussion Panel featuring local immigrant lawyers and immigrant support specialists.
Participants will have free all-day access to the Virginia Museum of History & Culture after the event.
(The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is not a sponsor of this event)
Questions? Email: volunteers@rerestablishrichmond.org