Volunteer Language Interpretation & Support at Asylum Seeker Clinic!

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Educational Alliance is seeking volunteers who will support our Work Authorization Clinic for Asylum Seekers. This is a flexible role that can be defined by the individual strengths of each volunteer. The function is to support the efficiency of the clinic through language interpretation for application assistants when needed, greeting and welcoming clients and providing logistic support. Work Authorization is a crucial pathway to their independence and financial stability. This opportunity is part of a pilot program we are developing. Please consider assisting this community of new immigrants to our city and helping to ensure our clinic can run smoothly, while creating a welcoming environment for all that come through.

OVERVIEW
As part of our ongoing work to support asylum seekers in our community, t his month, Educational Alliance is proud to announce a new pilot initiative with the New York City Office of Asylum Seeker Operations. Through this partnership, EA will serve as an application assistance satellite site and will help asylum seekers submit work authorization applications to the federal government.

To be eligible to legally work in the U.S., those seeking asylum must apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) which authorizes them to work. The seven-page government application for an EAD is straight-forward but must be completed in English. To support migrants in completing this form, Educational Alliance plans to launch a work authorization application assistance clinic for those with pending asylum. As part of this initiative, we are seeking volunteers to support volunteer application assistants at the clinic through Spanish-language interpretation and other day-of help to ensure smooth operations.

Note: You must sign-up and register for shifts in our volunteer system using this link: https://cerv.is/0038ggXXWzZ. The system will require you to be approved for your first shift. Once you complete that step you will receive an email with instructions to set-up a phone call as a next step. If you have any issues with signing up email dscher@mannycantor.org.

WHAT IS YOUR COMMITMENT?

• Provide spoken interpretation for new arrivals to communicate with staff and volunteer application assistants to ensure they are receiving the services they need.
• Greet clients as they arrive, helping them to check-in for their appointments and get where they need to go in the building.
• Assist with logistical needs of the clinic, including scanning documents (if comfortable with technology).
• Provide patience and a friendly setting for people going through a difficult transition
• Commitment to doing this in an ongoing capacity is strongly preferred, but you do not need to commit to a weekly shift.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English is required for this role. Possibility for bilingual French/English and Russian/English needed in the future.
• Must be 18+

HOW TO GET STARTED

• Complete the volunteer application
• Speak with member of the volunteer team
• Schedule shift(s)

APPLY TO BE A VOLUNTEER IF YOU...

• Want to support new arrivals on their path to independence in their new community
• Are interested in an ongoing volunteer opportunity
• Are bilingual and want to use your language skills to support the community