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English Education

The Refugee Welcome Center was established to help with the resettlement efforts of refugee families and immigrant groups in the City of Albany's West Hill Neighborhood. 

Our focus involves helping to connect refugees from a variety of different countries—such as, Afghanistan, Sudan, Myanmar, and Syria, to name a few—with support services and safe housing, as they work to adapt culturally and personally to our community.   

We are looking for friendly, patient, and creative individuals who are interested in volunteering at the Refugee Welcome Center, providing a variety of different types of assistance to literate/pre-literate adults and children.  Including, but not limited to, helping to create and encourage dialogue in English, as well as, assist with reading and writing skills.
 

English Speaking Engagement:  Conduct and engage refugees in informal or formal English conversations.  Create dialogues that will help refugees express themselves, as well as, build listening and fluency skills;  Utilize topics that are useful as they manage daily activities, apply and interview for jobs, or navigate through our culturally diverse community. 

English Speaking Education:  Volunteer to host English lessons to literate/pre-literate adults.  Class time is flexible and facility hours are available for daytime, evening or weekend use. 

Volunteer Administrator / Interpreter:  Assist refugees and their families resolve issues complicated by language barriers.  Help with phone calls to utility companies, interpret billing questions, assist with forms, applications, school enrollment, internet searches, or other transactions that are challenging for those who are not proficient in speaking, reading and/or writing English.     

 

Ask about participating in any Volunteer role:

  • Volunteer Program Coordinator

  • English Engagement

  • English Administrator / Interpreter

  • Be an Educator (Resources)

 

Qualifications and Agreement:
Release and Liability Risk
Confidentiality Agreement
Religious Proselytizing Prohibited
Consent from Parent or Guardian (if under 18)
General Certification

Healthy Living

The Refugee Welcome Center works with many refugee and immigrant families in the City of Albany's West Hill Neighborhood, many of which are led by underprivileged single mothers.  We are looking for friendly, patient, and creative volunteers for a few different roles and/or types of assistance:


Healthy Living Guidance:  Assist refugee women and their families with their questions and concerns about women's health care, health care plans, and provide encouragement for healthy living. 

Health Educators:  Promote and educate refugees on nutrition, oral care, personal hygiene, maternal and childcare, accident prevention and preparedness, and other associated quality of life topics.  

Volunteer Administrator / Interpreter:  Assist refugees and their families complete Medicaid forms and other government applications, resolve billing issues, and other various issues that are complicated by language barriers. 

 

Ask about participating in any Volunteer role:

  • Healthy Living Volunteer Coordinator

  • Healthy Living Mentor

  • Volunteer Administrator

  • Volunteer Interpreter

  • Be an Educator (Resources)

 

Qualifications and Agreement:
Release and Liability Risk
Confidentiality Agreement
Religious Proselytizing Prohibited
Consent from Parent or Guardian (if under 18)
General Certification