Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers represent the spirit of philanthropy by generously investing time and resources in the lives of our newest neighbors in need. At ReWA, volunteers contribute significantly toward the achievement of our mission and goals.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

• ESL Teachers and Teacher’s Assistants: Help refugee and immigrant students improve literacy and communication skills. Main Office: Monday – Thursday, 9 AM – 12 PM; SeaTac Office: Monday – Thursday, 9 AM – 12 PM, 9 AM – 2 PM, or 1 PM – 4 PM.
• Summer Youth Program Assistants: Assist with activities, group projects, academic enrichment, and field trips. Main Office, Youth Development: July 11th – August 11th, Monday – Thursday, 10 AM – 2 PM; Rainier Vista: July 11th – August 11th, Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 2 PM; Main Office, Elementary Levy: July 11th – August 11th, Monday – Thursday, 1 PM – 3:30 PM.
• Youth Program Assistants/Interns (During school year only): Work one-on-one or in small groups to tutor students, help with on-going program operations, and assist in the design and implementation of classroom activities.
• Youth Program Tutors (During school year only): Provide academic support in the after-school tutoring program by tutoring a student one-on-one, facilitating group work, providing opportunities to build proficiency in English, and supporting fun enrichment activities. The schedule for the 2016-2017 school year is: Rainier Vista: Monday – Thursday, 4:00-6:30 PM; South Seattle Elementary Schools: Monday – Thursday, 2:15-4:45 PM; Franklin High School: Monday & Wednesday, 3:30-5:30 PM; ReWA Main Office: Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30-5:30 PM, and Wednesday & Friday, 4:15-6:45 PM.
• Youth Program Individual Tutors (During school year only): Tutors and youth meet at least once a week with a focus on building a student’s academic skills and providing them opportunities to increase their proficiency in English. Youth Tutors also act as mentors, often supporting older students who are interested in college.
• Citizenship Class Assistants: Assist students with preparation for the naturalization interview and citizenship test. Main Office: Mondays or Wednesdays, 11 AM – 2 PM; Tuesdays, 12 PM – 3 PM; Saturdays, 9 AM – 12 PM. SeaTac Office: Fridays, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
• Early Childhood Education Program Assistants: Provide care and learning experiences to 1 to 6-year-olds. Main Office and Beacon Hill: Weekdays, 9 AM – 5 PM.
• Childcare Training Assistants: Help students prepare for careers as childcare providers. Main Office: Mondays and Wednesday, 1 PM – 4 PM.
• Job Readiness Assistants: Help adults learn about, prepare for, and apply to jobs. SeaTac Office: Fridays, 9 AM – 12 PM.
• Fundraising/Special Event Assistants: Help out with fundraising events like our fall Annual Gala or special events like International Women’s Day and Legislative Day.
• Naturalization Clinic Assistants: Assist with one day  free Naturalization Clinic to help Legal Permanent Residents who want to become U.S. citizens complete their Naturalization Applications. We need attorneys, paralegals, interpreters, and others to help with registration, set up, and checkout. For information about when the next clinic will be held and what type of opportunities are available, please email Marilyn LittleJohn at marilyn@rewa.org.

Benefits

• Acquire skills in teaching ESL/Citizenship/Job Training or tutoring school-aged children
• Help refugee and immigrant adults gain familiarity with the U.S. culture and community resources
• Gain knowledge about issues facing newcomer families
• Learn about the social services available to refugees and immigrants
• Be a part of an exciting, community-based effort to make a difference in the lives of refugee and immigrant women and their families

Qualifications

Minimum age requirement is 18.

Must pass a background check.

The most important qualification is a desire to work with and help people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. In all our volunteer positions, past experience is helpful, but not necessary.

Minimum time commitment

Due to the training and orientation required, we ask that volunteers make a commitment of at least three to six months. Unless they make other arrangements, volunteers are scheduled for a 2- to 3-hour period, one day per week. 

Orientation

All volunteers are required to attend an orientation before they begin volunteering with ReWA.