Young Center Fall 2024 Volunteer Child Advocate Training

The Young Center is recruiting volunteers to serve as Child Advocates for unaccompanied immigrant children who are currently in immigration detention. The role of the Child Advocate is to meet with the child for one hour, once per week, and to slowly learn about them and their lives through casual, play-based interactions. A Volunteer Child Advocate will work alongside a Young Center staff member who will provide support and guidance, as the Young Center staff member communicates with other decision makers and stakeholders to ensure the child's wishes, safety, and unique identity are taken into consideration.

To become a volunteer, folks must be at least 21 years old, bilingual in Spanish, French, Wolof, Arabic, Pular, or Mayan and other indigenous languages from Central America (e.g., Mam, K’iche, K’ekchi, K’anjob’al, Chuj and Acateco). Volunteers must also submit required background clearances before meeting with children, and complete a full 2-day in-person training. We welcome folks from all different cultures, professions, races, ethnicities, and social backgrounds to volunteer with us. You do not have to have a specific professional background or an understanding of immigration law to become a volunteer.

Attend an upcoming information session to learn more by clicking here, or fill out an online application on our Young Center website by clicking here.