Children & Family Programs Volunteers
Requirements for all volunteer roles
- Sensitivity and openness to persons of culturally diverse backgrounds
- High degree of patience, understanding, and flexibility
- Attend a General Volunteer Orientation and role-specific orientation prior to starting
- Record and report volunteer hours, as detailed in the Volunteer Orientation
- Pass Federal Background Check and driving record check (if applicable)
- Clear time and space in your schedule for your commitment
- In person roles: submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination
RYSA Leader
Program Summary:
Recently-arrived refugee youth in the United States face the unique challenges of adjusting to a new cultural environment, mitigating past traumas associated with immigration and seeking refuge, learning a new language, and adjusting to a new way of living. World Relief Western Washington’s (WRWW) Refugee Youth Summer Academy (RYSA) is a four–week program focused on helping newly arrived youth (K– 6th) adjust to their new schools and home.
We create a diverse, supportive community for youth by providing academic support, English learning, and mentoring, to set them up for success both in school and in life. Using culturally responsive, trauma-informed, experiential learning methods, we offer transformative and meaningful experiences for our youth to learn, grow, and develop their true potential. To achieve this for our youth, we are seeking passionate individuals who will step up as leaders for our wonderful students.
Regular Volunteer Role:
Join our summer program community, support academy instructors, and mentor refugee youth!
As a leader, you will experience a summer of unforgettable memories – walking alongside students are their eyes are opened to new experiences, forming relationships with a diverse and passionate team, expanding and challenging your worldview, and getting an inside look at the world of refugee resettlement.
$60 covers the cost of your background check from the school district.* Space is limited!
*Please speak with us if the cost would hinder your application.
- Commitment: 1-2 days a week, on the same day of the week, for 4 weeks (e.g. every Tuesday and Friday). There will be a limited number of slots on each day (2-3); you can choose the routine that works for you, but on a first-come, first-served basis. Please apply as soon as possible to reserve your spot.
- Dates & Times: July 10th – August 4th, Tuesday through Friday, 9am-2pm.
- Location: Kent, WA
Responsibilities:
- Join classroom activities and projects, under the guidance of summer academy instructors (for example, building a catapult with a small group or buddying up with a specific student to learn some new English words).
- Jump in wherever needed, support students that could use a friend, and bring positivity and energy to the program.
- On Fridays, chaperone a small group of kids as we explore local Pacific Northwest treasures, such as natural areas and museums
- Complete mandatory World Relief onboarding process and attend virtual RYSA Volunteer Orientation: June 15th 6:30-8pm.
School Navigator
Program Summary: For many recently arrived families, tackling a brand new education system in an unfamiliar language is a major challenge - with limited orientation opportunities. Many families find themselves inundated with school communications, wandering a new neighborhood searching for their bus stop, or being passed between school staff looking for how to advocate for their children. School Navigators are assigned to families with temporary needs navigating school for their children, easing the transition to a flourishing academic future.
Regular Volunteer Role: School Navigators are flexible, bouncing between various engagements for either 1 orientation day or perhaps a several week journey of advocacy. List of opportunities will be sent to available Navigators, who can support if their time allows. Specific experience is not necessary, though community members who feel confident navigating the basics of the school system are encouraged to join.
- Commitment: Reasonable availability on any schedule; willing to pick up responsibility for various needs if they fit your week or month
- Location: Flexible - may be at a family's home, or at a local school. Volunteers have the option of setting a preferred location boundary for assignments
Requirements:
- Patient, kind, and passionate about welcoming and supporting newly arrived families
- Comfortable navigating school-related day-to-day information (for example, communications, class schedules, transportation system, picture day, calling teachers, etc.)
- Additional languages other than English are a high need, particularly Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, or Russian
- Availability and willingness to support regularly, according to your schedule
- Able to pass a federal background check
- Consistently report volunteer hours
School Success Coach
Program Summary: Refugee students are more likely to be behind in school, simply as a result of their circumstances. Filling gaps in academic knowledge, understanding homework assignments, and tackling a new language can be overwhelming at first. In addition, students face being “the new kid” and re-creating a sense of home in the U.S. Our School Success Coaching pilot aims to provide every student struggling in school with a supportive, knowledgeable mentor to walk alongside them in this journey, by providing academic tutoring services and committed friendship.
Regular Volunteer Role: Share your skills and knowledge with a local refugee student, by committing to meet with them weekly as they complete homework assignments, increase their understanding of academic concepts, and tackle English vocabulary and grammar. Coaches are paired with individual students in need of support, and can meet either online or in-person once or twice a week – depending on volunteer/family preferences and location. Individuals specializing in specific subject areas will be prioritized for a match with students who have expressed needs in that area.
- Commitment: Once or twice weekly for 1-2 hours at a time, for at least a semester
- Schedule: Regular weekly schedule is set based on volunteer/family availability
*Note: Volunteers may experience a wait time of several weeks before being matched with a student, depending on status of family waitlist*
Requirements:
- Creative, energetic, flexible, and thoughtful, with a love for connecting with children and youth
- Experience teaching or tutoring academic subjects required; specific specialties a plus
- Additional languages other than English are a high need, particularly Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, or Russian
- Weekly availability at a time reserved for the program
- Able to pass a federal background check
- Consistently report volunteer hours
R.I.S.E. After School Mentor:
Program Summary: First and foremost, R.I.S.E. is a community - where students from all over the world can belong! We cultivate peer connections so students can laugh together, speak their home languages, and practice skills like goal-setting and conflict resolution. Students are also highly encouraged to develop a trusted relationship with a mentor, creating space to ask questions about school/U.S. culture or collaborate on challenges they are facing in their daily lives. Curriculum focuses on homework help, engaging STEM and art projects, and English vocabulary/grammar.
Regular Volunteer Role: When joining R.I.S.E., you get the chance to bring the fullness of who you are - to build our community culture, befriend individual students, and support activities planned by staff. 15 minutes of set-up/briefing and clean-up/debriefing is included in time commitment.
- Commitment: 1 or 2 times a week
- Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-6pm
- Location: River Ridge Elementary in Kent
Requirements:
- Creative, energetic, flexible, and thoughtful, with a love for connecting with children and youth
- Experience tutoring or providing academic support very helpful, but not required
- Bilingual, immigrant/refugee background or experience working in cross-cultural environments intentionally welcomed
- Pashto, Dari, Russian, or Ukrainian speakers are especially needed
- Able to pass a federal background check and provide COVID-19 vaccination record
- Consistently report volunteer hours
Family Literacy Class Volunteer
Program Summary: The Family Literacy class is a space for Afghan mothers and children ages 0-5 to engage in both separate and collaborative learning, increasing access to education and improving mental and emotional health through supportive community. Our unique curriculum equips moms with knowledge and skills to navigate American systems and norms, and empowers these moms to be their children’s first teacher at home. First, mothers focus on English class while children enjoy Kindergarten-readiness activities in neighboring rooms. Then, everyone comes together to practice songs, games, and activities related to the lesson. Parents can repeat class activities with their children at home to promote learning for both parents and children.
Regular Volunteer Role: You are invited to play, laugh, sing, craft, dance, and more, engaging in the vibrant work being done in our preschool classroom. Volunteers support set-up, planned activities, and clean-up, and befriend individual students as they navigate our classroom and their new lives in the U.S. Opportunities to support short field trips to local outdoor areas may be available.
*Note: Some families are still seeking support with transportation. If you are interested in supporting moms who may be facing this limitation, please complete your Motor Vehicle Check in the onboarding process, and ask our staff how you can get involved.*
- Commitment: At least once a week, for at least 3 months
- Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9am-12pm
- Location: World Relief Kent Office, 23835 Pacific Hwy S
- COVID-19 vaccine: required
Requirements:
- Creative, energetic, flexible, and thoughtful, with a love for connecting with children and youth
- Experience working with children ages 0-5
- Excited about holistically supporting families, specifically Afghan moms new to the U.S.
- Pashto or Dari speakers are especially appreciated
- Able to pass a federal background check and provide COVID-19 vaccination record
- Consistently report volunteer hours
Next steps
The first step is to fill out a volunteer application. Don't forget to mark Youth Programs as your area of interest. Once you submit your application, follow the steps to complete the online orientation and register for a local training.
All volunteers are required to attend both the general and local orientations, complete an application*, and undergo a background check before starting. At the training you will learn about World Relief's work, the refugees and immigrants we serve, and what it looks like to come alongside them as volunteers in different roles
*Required for new volunteers and returning volunteers who have not submitted an application in over a year. Background checks must also be renewed yearly.