Volunteering
For individuals, civic groups, families, Houses of Worship, faith communities, students, educators. Become a Community Sponsor, welcoming and assisting refugee families, join a Home Furnishing and Setup Team, host a drive, tutor English, host community events, or advocate -- there are lots of ways to help out!
Volunteers can help Afghans put together their asylum applications, or prepare for what to expect during their asylum interview. Legal professionals can work one-on-one with an Afghan individual or family providing volunteer legal support. WLA currently mentors attorneys or attorney-paralegal teams to provide “Pro Se +” Limited Representation (to help someone file their own application) or Full Representation before the Asylum Office.
We Speak NYC
We Speak NYC is the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs' English Language Learning program. It providess civic-focused learning tools for English language learners and teachers.
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People interested in teaching must be at least 18 years of age. The program provides free training, and volunteers lead courses that meet once per week for 3 or 4 month periods.
The Young Center aims to protect and advance the rights and interests of immigrant children through state and federal law, lobbying for the creation of a dedicated children’s immigrant justice system that ensures the safety and well-being of every child. Young Center attorneys and social workers, along with bilingual volunteers, are appointed as Child Advocates by the Department of Health and Human Services. The end goal is to make changes in the immigration system so that children in immigration proceedings are recognized as children. Currently, immigrant children who seek protection in the United States are thrown into a system of laws, regulations, and policies developed for adults. Located in Chicago, Houston, San Antonio, Harlingen, Phoenix, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C, or New Jersey.
NYC Youth Leadership Councils
NYC Youth Leadership Councils (YLCs) are a network of youth groups focused on policy, practice, and advocacy to make local change happen. Each YLC is a space to team up with others, share ideas, create solutions, and put those solutions into action with the support from City agencies, schools, and community organizations. For ages 14 - 21.
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NYC Services
Volunteers can register to receive opportunities and updates from City agencies and partner organizations, and join monthly calls with a network of community-based organizations, nonprofits, and community leaders, where City agencies share important updates in relation to the asylum seeker response, as well as important resources. You can also donate items to places identified as the most in need of those items. People with relevant backgrounds can also volunteer legal support, and business owners can register to be a Business in Service, supporting the newest New Yorkers.