Volunteer

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE, under the current political climate, to be a volunteer for Interfaith-RISE these days?

You might help a client write their resume, fill out a job application, or provide a ride to an interview.  Or you might help support our staff at one of our Refugee Health Promotion events.  Or sign up for a shift at The Upcycle store, Global Grace Marketplace, Global Grace Farm, I-RISE Woodshop, or the Global Grace Health mobile unit.

We have a Youth Mentorship program (see description below), and our English Language Learning program staff are looking for tutors for both adults and children.  And our case managers are always looking for translators (over the phone, online, or in-person).

While the landscape is different, the ultimate goal is still the same: To ensure that our clients are thriving, not just surviving in their new country.

Please email fida@interfaithrise.org (Highland Park, Trenton and Asbury Park) or Jobeda@interfaithrise.org (South Jersey) for more information. All volunteers are trained and background checked.

Monthly Volunteer Orientation and Volunteer Training (Online) – Orientation and Volunteer Trainings are conducted on the first and second Thursdays of the month, respectively, unless otherwise stated.

Volunteer Orientation:   Fida Ayoubi will be conducting a one-hour virtual orientation session for new volunteers to introduce them to Interfaith-RISE and all that we do, ways to be involved, and the Refugee process of integration into American society and culture.  

Volunteer Training: This is a more in-depth online workshop to familiarize yourself with the volunteer process and prepares participants to be equipped and ready to volunteer with our clients.

PLEASE NOTE:  You MUST RSVP.  If you are interested in attending, please get in touch with fida@Interfaithrise.org  

Youth Mentoring Program

Youth Mentoring is a new program serving young people ages 15-24 to provide educational and social programs along with connecting them to a volunteer mentor.  We are looking for volunteers who are interested and able to:

1.   Meet with mentees once a week to start, for at least an hour.
2.   Provide guidance and support to help mentees achieve their academic or occupational goals.
3.   Act as a mentor helping them adjust to living in New Jersey.
4.   Have experience in their field of work that they would like to share.
5.   Optional: Interest in working with a small group on different ELL (English Language Learning) topics based on the interests of mentees.

If you are not able to be a mentor but still are interested in helping, we are always looking for individuals to create professional, educational, or life skills workshops or social programs for the Mentees.  Please contact Quintina Wells for further info quintina@interfaithrise.org for S. Jersey counties OR Yosuf Ayni yosuf@interfaithrise.org for Central Jersey counties.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I get started?
Fill out our Mentor Interest Form by clicking on this link

What if I only speak English?
Although many of our young people speak Haitian Creole, Ukrainian, Arabic, Pashto, Dari, Urdu, and Spanish, many of them already speak English and all of them are learning!  We have many online resources that will help you communicate with your mentee.

How will I know how to help?
Every mentee has already met with a Youth Mentor Staff member and has gone over two or three goals that they would like to accomplish.  Many of these goals are things like getting a GED, applying to college, finding a new job, etc.

Is there training available?
Yes, all mentors will be required to take two one-hour virtual training sessions before working with a mentee. These trainings will go over how to build relationships, accountability, goal planning etc.