Volunteer Child Advocate for Unaccompanied Children in Grand Rapids

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights is seeking volunteers in Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas, to support immigrant children. We will host a Volunteer Child Advocate training for new volunteers on October 19th and 20th in Grand Rapids. For more information, please get in touch with us at volunteer@theyoungcenter.org.

The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights aims to promote the best interests of unaccompanied and separated immigrant children. The Young Center serves as a trusted ally for 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 their safety and well-being. Every young immigrant deserves to be safe, and the Young Center advocates that children’s needs are put foremost, and their best interests take priority.

A Volunteer Child Advocate is an adult who volunteers to spend time with and advocate on behalf of an individual unaccompanied immigrant child while they are subject to immigration proceedings. The Young Center welcomes all qualified volunteers without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, marital or parental status, pregnancy, citizenship, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, genetic information, or veterans’ status. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the volunteer application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application. Advocates must be at least 21 years old. We have a particular need for bilingual volunteers who speak languages such as Spanish, Q'eqchi', K'iche', Mam, or Chuj. Other languages welcome.

Volunteer Child Advocate responsibilities include the following:

• Visit with the child each week and advocate for their best interests in collaboration with Young Center staff.
• Help the child think through options and decisions.
• Maintain regular communication with the Young Center staff.

Volunteers must:

• Attend both days of the Volunteer Child Advocate Training
• Submit all clearance documentation
• Complete a video interview with the Volunteer Coordinator
• Pass FBI/State background check and relevant child abuse/neglect check
• Provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination
• Provide proof of negative tuberculosis (TB) result
• Have reliable access to transportation

Training topics include vicarious trauma, U.S. immigration law, and issues facing unaccompanied immigrant children. Once screened and assigned to an individual child, each Volunteer Child Advocate receives continued training, support, and supervision from Young Center staff.