Adult Literacy/ESOL

  

Mission: CARECEN’s mission is to foster the comprehensive development of the Latino population in the Washington metropolitan region by providing direct services, while promoting grassroots empowerment, civic engagement, and human rights advocacy.

Website: http://www.carecendc.org/join-us/volunteer/
Volunteer form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnIkpmWb7DOl4gOtTBua6nSCAObhOdncqHPQA60zZRcbBBbA/viewform
Email: info@carecendc.org
Phone: (202) 328-9799

What volunteers do:

  • Provide assistance with data entry, help organize educational events such as workshops and informational sessions. Help staff with clerical duties such as general filing and correspondence work, answering phones as needed.
  • Serve as mock interviewer for students of CARECEN’s citizenship classes (no spanish required; 3 hour one-time session).
  • Help immigrants fill out their form N-400 applications for citizenship (training provided by immigration attorney; 5 hour one-time session).
  • Teach citizenship classes (classes are Tuesdays 6-8 pm & and Saturdays 10-12 noon & 2:30-4:30 pm). A two hour commitment for 12 weeks is expected.
  • Teach ESL classes (classes are Wednesdays 6-8pm &and Saturdays 12:30-2:15pm. A two hour commitment for 12 weeks is expected.
  • Tutor students preparing for their naturalization test on a need basis, usually week nights and Saturdays. Contact Carecen for times and dates.
  • Participate in advocacy campaigns around immigration reform and citizenship expansion.

FYI:

  • Attorneys interested in working pro bono on immigration casework should contact Andrea Rodriguez, Director of Legal Services at arodriguez@carecendc.org.

Mission: The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. 

Website: https://www.rescue.org/volunteer
Volunteer Form: https://rescueglobal.secure.force.com/application/rc_volunteers__ApplicationForm_Designer?id=a3E31000000UEco#!mode=view&form=00P3100000aMKNsEAO&dev=true application/references
Email: n/a
Phone: (301) 562-8633

What volunteers do:

  • Mentor refugee families and individuals.
  • Assist refugees to develop effective job seeking and interview results.
  • ESL tutor training available.
  • Advocate for the IRC and refugees.

FYI:

  • Background check required ($25 fee)

Mission: Many Languages One Voice empowers limited and non-English proficient communities to equitably access public benefits and services in Washington, DC.

Website: http://www.mlovdc.org/volunteer.html
Email: sapna@mlovdc.org
Phone: (202) 838-6568

What volunteers do: 

  • Translate documents, as well as video and audio testimonies of Limited- and Non-English proficient community members. 
  • Looking for the following language speakers: Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese.

FYI:  Additional opportunities occasionally posted on MLOVE's Idealist webpage: http://www.idealist.org/view/org/Tmc2dPHj4Ncp/


Mission: Miriam's Kitchen's mission is to end chronic homelessness in Washington DC through the following ways:

  • Connect chronically homeless guests with the highest quality, most nutritious meals in the city.
  • Case Managers build a community where each individual feels safe getting the help that they need, when they are ready to receive it.
  • In partnership with people who have experienced homelessness, advocate for the D.C. government to make investments in the housing programs that are most proven to end homelessness. Meanwhile, Miriam's Kitchen partners with other service providers and government agencies to change the way homeless services are delivered in Washington.
  • The most successful intervention for chronic homelessness is Permanent Supportive Housing, which couples permanent housing with supportive services that target the specific needs of an individual.

Website: https://miriamskitchen.org/volunteer/
Email: volunteer@miriamskitchen.org  Please see volunteer page for more specific contact emails.
Phone: (202) 452-8926

What volunteers do: 

  • Kitchen: Serve a meal or do prep work for a future meal. Kitchen volunteers commit to one regular shift per month. shifts are Breakfast M-F 6-830am, Dinner M-F 4-630pm, Prep Tues and Thurs 12-2pm
  • Guest services: Distribute toiletries, fulfill clothing orders, or simply engage with guests. Some volunteers help by giving haircuts, manicures, or writing resumes. Do you have some other skills to offer? Let us know! Times are M-F 6-8:30am and 4-5:45pm
  • Miriam's studio: Lead a writing group or assist the art therapist before, during, or after studio time. Writing Group leader M-F 8:30-9:15am, 2:30-4:15pm. Art Helpers M-F 8-10am, 11-2pm, or 2:15-4pm.
  • Advocacy: Support the advocacy team by lending your writing, communications, and media skills to our campaign.

FYI:

  • Check out faq's at https://miriamskitchen.org/volunteer-faqs/ for more specific volunteer information.
  • New volunteers must first attend a volunteer orientation session.
  • Volunteer shifts are only during the week, not the weekend.
  • You must commit to once a month on an ongoing basis.