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30 people are interested
Be a Child Advocate for Unaccompanied Immigrant Children
ORGANIZATION: The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights
Please visit the new page to apply.
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30 people are interested
A Child Advocate is an adult who volunteers to spend time with and advocate on behalf of an unaccompanied immigrant child while they are subject to immigration and deportation proceedings. We welcome volunteers from all cultures, professions, races, ethnicities and social backgrounds. Advocates must be at least 21 years old. Per federal policy, a background check, COVID immunization, and tuberculosis screening will be required. Volunteers must be fluent in any of the following: Spanish, Hatian Creole, French, Urdu, Romanian, Daari, Pashto or other Indigenous Central American languages.
Before being assigned, Advocates are required to complete a two-day live virtual training session on child development, communicating with children, U.S. immigration law and issues facing unaccompanied immigrant children. Prior to attending the training, advocates will also be required to complete an online classroom component which consists of appoximately 4 hours of video lectures and questions. Once assigned to an individual child, each advocate receives continuous training, support, and supervision from the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights.
*Our next two day virtual training will take place online (via Zoom) on February 5th and 6th from 9am - 3:00pm. We seek individuals from the San Antonio/Austin area. All applications must be completed by January 26th, you will receive an application upon response.*
As a Child Advocate, you commit to:
-Visit with the child once a week for the duration of their shelter/facility stay, typically around 3-6 months (Visits are being conducted remotely and in person visits depending on facility availability and volunteer preference).
- Help the child think through options and decisions.
- If available, accompany the child to court hearings and other important meetings and interviews when available.
- Conduct research on the child’s situation in his or her home country.
- Help our staff attorneys and social worker draft a written report regarding best interest recommendations.
- Maintain communication with the Young Center staff, the child’s Case Manager at the shelter and the child’s attorney.
- Advocate for the best interest of the child.
More opportunities with The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights
Location:
816 Camaron St., Suite 1349, San Antonio, TX 78212, US
Mission Statement
The mission of the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights is to promote the best interests of unaccompanied immigrant children with due regard to the child’s expressed wishes, according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and state and federal law.
Description
The Young Center is a champion for the best interests of children who arrive in the United States on their own, from all corners of the world. We serve as trusted allies for these children by accompanying them through court proceedings, advocating for their best interests, and standing for the creation of a dedicated juvenile immigrant justice system that ensures the safety and well-being of every child.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
Multiple locations San Antonio, TX 78212
DATE POSTED
December 7, 2021
SKILLS
- Mentoring
- Youth Services
- Child Welfare
- Child Development
- Child Advocacy
- Immigration Law
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Driver's License Needed
- Background Check
- Must be at least 21
- Orientation or Training
- Visits are conducted weekly for 1 hour for the duration of the child's detention (on average between 3-6 months)
- Must pass FBI background check, child welfare check, and tuberculosis test (the tb requirement will only be required for in person visitation). CAs must also be fully vaccinated against COVID.