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.

• Youth Program Tutors: Volunteer in one of our afterschool or summer programs serving youth from immigrant and refugee backgrounds in grades 1-12! Depending on the program, your volunteer responsibilities may include: working one-on-one or with small groups of students, helping with homework, supporting academic & job skill development, leading activities, playing games, chaperoning on field trips, and being a positive adult role model. ReWA afterschool program sites include: the ReWA Main Office, ReWA Rainier Vista classroom, Maple Elementary School, Kimball Elementary School, Seattle World School, and Franklin High School. Contact the ReWA Youth Program Manager, Emily Tomita, at emilyt@rewa.org for more volunteer information. 

• 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 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.