1. Language Services Volunteer Provider
Location: Remote
Requirements: 18+, Orientation, Background Check, Specific Trainings
In order to ensure that RAICES clients are receiving information in their preferred and primary languages, we require the assistance of translators and interpreters. Volunteers translate documents, do live interpretations for meetings, write captions for videos, and overall make vital information more accessible to speakers of all languages. Volunteers also translate personal testimonies into English so that individuals can present all of their evidence for asylum or refuge in court. The first step is to complete the RAICES Volunteer Application.
2. Community Fundraisers
Location: Remote
Requirements: Orientation attendance is not mandatory but highly recommended!
Host a digital or in-person fundraiser to benefit RAICES. Opportunities may include online fundraising through groups or crowdsourcing campaigns, or in person activities such as bake sales, movie screenings, and ticketed events. Fundraising volunteers will be provided a starter kit and resource guide for their activity. The sky’s the limit with the opportunities you can put together to help us continue to serve thousands of people every year. Check out our toolkit for starting your own fundraiser.
3. Family Volunteers
Location: Remote
Requirements: Orientation – Required for parents, optional for children 10 years old or younger
Family Volunteers have the opportunity to learn from family-friendly educational trainings, take action together as a family unit, and to participate in community discussions curated for young learners and parents. This all-encompassing experience will empower your family to learn together and take those new skills to fight for Migrant Justice in your community. The first step is to complete the RAICES Volunteer Application.
4. Subject Matter Experts
Location: Remote
Requirements: 18+, Orientation, Background Check
What are you an expert about? We want to utilize your skills to provide trainings to the volunteer and RAICES community. As a subject matter expert, you would work alongside RAICES staff and volunteers to help create and/or facilitate workshops or curriculums that educate on topics such as: volunteerism, civic engagement, professional development, social justice, immigration. Past educational workshops developed by our volunteers include “Best Practices for Translating Documents”and a panel on Women’s Immigration Experiences. The first step is to complete the RAICES Volunteer Application.
5. Pro Bono
Location: Remote and In-person Opportunities
Requirements: 18+, Legal experience
RAICES Pro Bono Project partners with volunteer attorneys, law students, and paralegals to provide pro bono services to asylum seekers. RAICES Pro Bono team has multiple opportunities such as in-person representations to remote research projects. No prior immigration law experience is required. RAICES provides training and mentorship to volunteers as needed throughout the process. If interested to participate, please reach out to [email protected].
6. In-kind Drives (Non-monetary)
Location: Remote
Requirements: Orientation attendance is not mandatory but highly recommended!
RAICES’ clients are often in need of supplies such as clothing, shoes, toys and other items that are helpful when setting up a new life in a foreign country. If you are a group or individual wanting to host a drive in your community, please fill out this form. When asked about your inquiry click “Donating to RAICES”. By filling the form you will receive more information on the items most needed by our clients. Donations are tax deductible!
7. Phonebanking/Textbanking Advocate
Location: Remote
Requirements: Orientation
Volunteers who participate in phonebanking and textbanking activities hold elected officials, public figures, and government institutions accountable and urge them to make Migrant Justice a priority. This activity just requires a phone and a passion to fight for the rights of Immigrants and Refugees. Your voice is your power and calling out those in influential positions is one way we can make change together. The first step is to complete the RAICES Volunteer Application.
8. Bond Program
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Requirements: 18+, Orientation, Background Check, Valid Government ID
The San Antonio Bond Program is a volunteer activity that allows individuals to assist our staff in the immigration bond payment process. Volunteers submit bond paperwork at the ICE office in San Antonio, which frees staff time to process new bond applications. Once the bonds are paid by you, the individual(s) will be released from detention and safely reunited with their family/friends/sponsor. The first step is to complete the RAICES Volunteer Application.
9. Donation Management
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Requirements: 18+, Orientation, Background Check
In order to maintain our new donation and community center, we need volunteers to assist with inventory, organization, and overall upkeep. In addition to maintaining the space, volunteers will also assist with special projects such as creating care packages and putting together home kits for arriving families. The first step is to complete the RAICES Volunteer Application.
10. RAICES Speakers Bureau
Location: Remote
Requirements: 18+, Orientation, Background Check
Do you enjoy public speaking? Is storytelling and advocating for a good cause something you would like experience in? Joining our RAICES Speakers Bureau is the perfect opportunity for you. Speakers Bureau volunteers have the opportunity to be trained as a public speaker that attend virtual events, presentations and other opportunities to educate and empower supporters to take part in our work. The first step is to complete the RAICES Volunteer Application.