Phone Banking
Our San Antonio office launched a new community program called a convivio. The purpose of the convivio will be to empower current and past RAICES clients by informing them about their rights, important policy changes and provide general immigration information. The Austin phone banking activity allows volunteers to call and text potential attendees to invite them to join RAICES staff at the convivio.
Requirements:- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have basic phone etiquette skills
- Pass background check
Location:
Activity Times: There will be allotted time set for this activity. You can sign up for a shift through Better Impact.
Bus Station
Our post-release team provides direct services to individuals and families recently released from detention, including assistance at the downtown San Antonio bus station to review travel documents, provide basic legal orientations, and organize referrals.
Requirements:- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be completely fluent in Spanish
- Pass background check
- Attend a Bus Station Training after completing the Volunteer Orientation
Location: San Antonio Greyhound Bus Station 500 N St. Mary’s Street
Activity Times: Monday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Bond Program
The San Antonio Bond Program is a volunteer activity that allows individuals to assist our staff in the bond payment process. Volunteers have the opportunity to go to the ICE office in San Antonio and submit bond paperwork. A bond volunteer has the opportunity of releasing a detained individual that day!
Requirements:- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a valid form of identification
- Pass background check
- Provide own transportation
Location: There are two locations for each Bond Shift. You will first pick up the paperwork and checks from 802 Kentucky Avenue and then bring the checks to 3523 Crosspoint. Both offices are in San Antonio.
Activity Times: Wednesdays and Thursday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
General Office Assistance
Because we are an organization that offers legal aid and social services, we find that there are always documents to be scanned, files to be organized and data to be entered. It is a huge help to our staff and a great way to experience what goes on behind the scenes at a nonprofit!
Requirements:- Be at least 14 years old
- Have basic computer skills
- Pass background check
Location: Currently we have volunteers helping at several offices in San Antonio.
Activity Times: Office assistance shifts take place Monday – Friday between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM. It is a fairly flexible opportunity and you can often set your own schedule within the confines of those hours; however, the hours also depend on the availability of supervising staff members.
Accompaniment Program
The San Antonio Accompaniment Program is a volunteer activity that allows individuals to attend and ICE or Ankle Monitor check in with an asylum seeker. Volunteers have the opportunity to go to these check-ins to offer support, witness the immigration process and advocate for change in the immigration system and in our community.
Requirements:- Be at least 18 years of age
- Provide own transportation for yourself (we do not allow volunteers to transport clients)
- Pass background check
Location: Accompaniments often take place at local ICE offices or in the case of court hearings, at local immigration court offices. You will be notified of the address.
Activity Times: Accompaniments are provided to clients on an as-needed basis. They usually take place Monday – Friday during the morning. You can expect the accompaniment activity to take 2-3 hours.