Virtual Child Advocate Training

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The Young Center is hosting a virtual Volunteer Child Advocate training on Saturday and Sunday, August 28 & 29, 2021. The application deadline is August 20. We are in need of bilingual, Spanish speaking, volunteers in the Brownsville, Harlingen, and Corpus Christi, TX areas. If you would like to learn more about the Young Center's work and the volunteer Child Advocate role visit theyoungcenter.org/volunteer.

Make a difference in the life of an unaccompanied immigrant child by volunteering to serve as a Child Advocate. A Child Advocate is an adult who volunteers to spend time with and advocate on behalf of an individual unaccompanied immigrant child while he or she is subject to deportation proceedings. We get to know prospective volunteers through an initial screening interview, an application and reference check, and at the required two-day training. Once assigned to an individual child, each Child Advocate receives continuing training, support, and supervision from the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights.

As a Child Advocate, you commit to:

• Visit with the child once a week during the duration of their shelter/facility stay. (Per COVID-19 restrictions, all "visits" are being conducted through video conference until further notice.)
• Help the child think through options and decisions.
• Conduct research on the child’s situation in his or her home country.
• Help our staff draft written reports regarding the child’s best interest.
• Maintain close communication with Young Center staff and the child’s Case Manager at the shelter to schedule visits.
• Advocate for the best interest of the child.