Volunteer Program

The youth program is all about new experiences: volunteers help instructors provide academic tutoring and serve as chaperons on field trips.

You can be a part of an exciting, community-based effort to make a difference in the lives of refugee and immigrant families resettling in the Puget Sound. Volunteers serve as assistants in citizenship, ESL and youth tutoring classrooms.

Current Opportunities

Due to Covid-19 some of our volunteer opportunities are virtual while others are in person. Be sure to check the requirements of the volunteer opportunity before applying!

  • Resettlement assistant

    In-person volunteer position

    The volunteer Resettlement Assistant will help transport goods and supplies to newly arrived refugee families and help transport them to appointment. Read the full position description here.

  • Oromo translator

    Virtual position

    Oromo Translator/Interpreter – OPEN

    This volunteer mediates between ReWA staff and families to inform students progress, program updates, and group workshops. The role will mostly be with ReWA’s virtual STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and match) program but may also have the opportunity to work with other youth programs. See full description.

  • Talk Time Facilitator

    Virtual Opportunity

    Talk-Time is a weekly online conversation group facilitated by trained volunteers, supported by ReWA English teachers. ReWA’s employment-related English classes help students transition to life in the U.S. and secure long-term employment.

Wait List Only

  • Community Outreach/Program Assistant

    (Virtual)

    The Center for Social-Emotional Well-being (C-SEW) serves clients and families by offering in-person and remote counseling. The volunteer assists C-SEW with developing and updating behavioral health educational materials for community outreach programs and projects.

  • Academic Support Tutor

    (Virtual)

    Volunteers provide academic support for youth ages 16-24 in ReWA’s Post-Secondary Success Program (PSSP). The volunteers assist youth with homework assignments and provide support so they can complete assignments after the tutoring session on their own, if needed.

  • Elementary Classroom Assistant

    (Virtual)

    ReWA’s Virtual STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) program is a cohort of 40 immigrant, refugee, and BIPOC youth in elementary (3rd to 5th) and middle school (6th to 8th) grades. Classroom volunteers assist students as they explore math, art, and science activities, coding, and cultural enrichment learning.

APPLY

Once your application is submitted, you will be contacted to complete next steps: orientation, background check and placement.

Questions? Contact Volunteer Coordinator: Seth Walker, Seth@rewa.org

Corporate Engagement Opportunities

ReWA loves partnering with companies and community organizations and companies. If your organization is interested in getting involved please email volunteers@rewa.org.

Volunteer Highlights

  • ReWA ESL Level 1 teacher, Lisa, right with students and classroom volunteer.
    Raising 6 kids and learning English
    Right before the start of the pandemic, a Somali couple, Sara and Abdi, and their six children moved to Seattle. When Sara first arrived, she was able to read and write and speak a little English but had almost no computer literacy. Her husband could not read or write in Somali or English. It was […]
  • screenshot of volunteers in zoom video call practicing English with ReWA students
    Refugees connect with “TalkTime”
    It’s 5pm on Wednesday and faces start to appear on the computer screen. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased social isolation for almost everyone, so Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA) has moved ESL classes online. Since February 2021, a group of volunteers and ESL teachers have launched a new weekly online conversation circle called “Talk Time”. It […]
  • Volunteer Appreciation
    Vacuuming children. Is that a mistake in English vocabulary or a practical solution to messy kids? Angela is a stay-at home mom of three, metal artist (pictured here in her workshop). She has been volunteering as a teacher’s aide at ReWA for eight years. When asked for an anecdote from the classroom, she recalled this […]
  • Access to learning soars as ESL goes online
    Last March, ReWA’s ESL team was struggling: few of the immigrants and refugees who attended ESL classes had internet or computer access at home. Now a year later, ReWA is offering five classes online, serving over 70 students.
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