The losses associated with exile often leave refugees with limited resources to face the challenge of adjusting to a new society. To enhance the successful integration of refugees, it is important to assist them in their efforts in rebuilding and extending their support systems. By matching refugees with volunteers, Befriending Programs aim at creating a supportive environment. Based on information provided by twenty-five organizations that offer befriending programs in Australia, Canada, England, and the United States, this paper explores obstacles they face in the recruitment and retention of befrienders as well as their strategies in overcoming challenges.

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Canadian- and foreign-born volunteers have contributed to the settlement of newcomers into Canadian society. Despite their important contribution, little has been reported about the experiences and perspectives of these volunteers. Using the information collected from face-to-face interviews with 60 Canadian- and foreign-born volunteers who support newcomers, this article discusses factors that motivate people to volunteer with newcomers. The study results revealed among other findings that (1) to become a volunteer, one not only needs to be motivated but also needs to believe that volunteering will produce the expected positive results and to have confidence in one’s ability to complete the assigned tasks, (2) once people become volunteers, the experience of volunteering tests their perceived self-efficacy and their belief about the effectiveness of their volunteer work. Success or failure in their expectations influences their decision to continue or discontinue their volunteer work. RÉSUMÉ De nombreux bénévoles nés au Canada et à l’étranger contribuent à l’intégration de nouveaux venus dans la société canadienne. Malgré leurs contributions importantes, il y a peu d’écrits sur les expériences et perspectives de ces bénévoles. Cet article se fonde sur des entrevues face à face avec soixante bénévoles nés au Canada ou à l’étranger afin de mieux comprendre ce qui les motive à aider les nouveaux venus. Les résultats révèlent entre autres que (1) pour devenir bénévole, non seulement faut-il être motivé mais il faut aussi croire que le bénévolat entraînera bien les effets positifs escomptés et être confiant de son aptitude à accomplir les tâches assignées et (2) l’expérience du bénévolat met à l’épreuve la perception de sa propre efficacité et l’impression qu’on a de la valeur de son travail bénévole. Le succès ou l’échec de ces attentes a une influence sur la décision de continuer à faire du bénévolat ou non.

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