Live-In Resident Assistant Freelance

This role is a volunteer role that comes with the benefit of living on-site in Surrey, BC at an affordable, below-market rent rate. 

About New Hope Community Services Society

New Hope Community Services exists to provide excellence in transitional community housing for newcomer refugee families. To this end, New Hope owns and operates apartment buildings in Surrey and New Westminster, where newcomer refugee families live in community with Canadian Christian families. Refugee families stay at New Hope for up to 18 months before transitioning to more permanent housing and increased independence.

New Hope’s vision is for every refugee coming to Canada to belong, thrive and make it their home. Compelled by God’s love and our faith in Jesus Christ, New Hope is a sanctuary and loving community of care for refugees that prepares them to thrive in Canada.

Overview of the Resident Assistant Role

In our Surrey location, ten newcomer refugee families live alongside three volunteer Resident Assistant (RA) families. This model provides a home, friendship and belonging for refugee families with children as they adjust to life in Canada. Resident Assistants are crucial in fostering New Hope’s core value of intentional community. This community is built and cultivated through a combination of structured programming and spontaneous shared experiences, with RAs playing an active role in both. As neighbours and friends, RAs are integral to the day-to-day impromptu interactions and invitations that constitute “neighbouring” and creating a community of care.

The RA position offers a rare and meaningful opportunity to engage in the rhythms of giving and receiving hospitality and cultivating cross-cultural friendships while experiencing mutual transformation. It also offers the privilege of walking alongside and witnessing people journey from places of instability towards safety, stability, community, and renewed hope for their lives.

This role is well-suited for a couple or a small family seeking a deeply rewarding experience in community living. For married couples, we expect that both spouses are committed to fulfill the role as a family, but how you share the responsibilities is very flexible. This is not a full-time job; you can work and study alongside fulfilling this volunteer position. The job description details the full scope of the community living experience, and it can work well with many different types of family and work arrangements.

Please review the full job description online.

After reviewing the job description, if you have questions about how this works with other RA families and how it might work for your family, please reach out, as we’d love to have a conversation!

The Resident Assistant position and associated housing will be available in March 2025. There is some flexibility with move-in dates. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the role is filled.