Refugee School Navigator

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Program Summary: For many recently arrived families, tackling a brand new education system in an unfamiliar language is a major challenge - with limited orientation opportunities. Many families find themselves inundated with school communications, wandering a new neighborhood searching for their bus stop, or being passed between school staff looking for how to advocate for their children. School Navigators are assigned to families with temporary needs navigating school for their children, easing the transition to a flourishing academic future.

Regular Volunteer Role: School Navigators are flexible, bouncing between various engagements for either 1 orientation day or perhaps a several week journey of advocacy. List of opportunities will be sent to available Navigators, who can support if their time allows. Specific experience is not necessary, though community members who feel confident navigating the basics of the school system are encouraged to join.

• Commitment: Reasonable availability on any schedule; willing to pick up responsibility for various needs if they fit your week or month
• Location: Flexible - may be at a family's home, or at a local school. Volunteers have the option of setting a preferred location boundary for assignments

Requirements:

• Patient, kind, and passionate about welcoming and supporting newly arrived families
• Comfortable navigating school-related day-to-day information (for example, communications, class schedules, transportation system, picture day, calling teachers, etc.)
• Additional languages other than English are a high need, particularly Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, or Russian
• Availability and willingness to support regularly, according to your schedule
• Able to pass a federal background check
• Consistently report volunteer hours