Tutor English to Refugees and Immigrants

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Position Purpose/Summary:

Rebuilding your life in a new country is challenging, even without a language barrier. With over a hundred years of dedicated service to our neighbors in need, Catholic Charities with the crucial help of volunteers, bridge the language gap for refugees and immigrants.

As a volunteer, you will support an adult learner from a refugee or immigrant family so that he or she becomes a confident speaker, reader, and writer of English. We focus on fundamental literacy skills for English language learners facing barriers to attending traditional English classes, such as transportation or childcare.

Our program is learner-focused and seeks to build upon the different strengths that learners bring with them. Often, their goals range from: scheduling a doctor’s appointment, reading their bills, asking their child’s teacher questions, going shopping, or even reading a bedtime story in English to their child. The curriculum gives volunteers the structure they need to meet these goals. By strengthening these areas, English language learners are given the foundation they need to be successful. We provide training, resources, and support; however, the volunteer tutor will be responsible for teaching in a way that maximizes the learner’s strengths and encourages a love of learning.

Expected Availability and Commitment:

• Works one-on-one or with a group of learners at their home, once or twice a week for 45 minutes (plus prep time) at the learner's home
• Tutoring may occur on weekdays or on weekends
• Participate in a virtual information session and complete online training modules
• *Note: Due to the time it takes complete training and to find a learner who is a good match, Catholic Charities asks for a 6-month minimum commitment

Required Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years old to volunteer
• Must be comfortable driving to a learner’s home in the Milwaukee area (typically on the southside of Milwaukee)
• Comfortable communicating in English to speakers of various levels- English speakers of all levels are welcomed and encouraged to apply

Required Training:

Volunteers will receive training before being matched with a learner or group of learners. They will also have ongoing educational opportunities to enhance their teaching techniques. This includes: periodic check-ins, newsletters, and virtual Volunteer MeetUps that enable collaboration among volunteers and sharing of educational resources. Volunteers and learners will be provided with hard copies of Catholic Charities’ English Unlocked curriculum and books.

Helpful Skills for the Role:

• People who were English language learners themselves or grew-up in refugee and immigrant families are encouraged to apply
• No previous experience is necessary; training is provided. Teaching, tutoring, cross-cultural experiences or additional language skills are a plus
• Additional language ability is welcomed

Share your existing skills and experience with your learners. Volunteering with us provides a rewarding cross-cultural opportunity to teach as well as learn from your students with the satisfaction that you are making a difference in their life!

Join our mission to provide service to those in need, to advocate for justice and to call upon others to do the same. Partner with us to improve the lives of those we serve, to empower the most vulnerable, and to help reduce poverty through quality, compassionate, and effective human services.

Contact with Questions:

Caitlyn Proietta, Volunteer Coordinator
Email: volunteer@ccmke.org
Call: (414) 769-3402