The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights is looking for Volunteer Child Advocates. We are in need of bilingual, Spanish speaking, volunteers in the McAllen, Edinburg, Brownsville, Harlingen, Driscoll, Corpus Christi, TX and surrounding areas.
A Child Advocate is an adult who volunteers to spend time with and advocate on behalf of an individual unaccompanied immigrant child while he or she is subject to deportation proceedings. We welcome volunteers from all cultures, professions, races, ethnicities and social backgrounds. Advocates must be at least 21 years old. We have a particular need for bilingual volunteers who speak Spanish. Serving as a Young Center Volunteer Child Advocate means being a reliable, trustworthy, and professional presence for children who are in federal custody, and accordingly, we have a thorough clearance and training process. We get to know prospective volunteers through an initial screening interview, an application and reference check, and at the required Volunteer Child Advocate training. Information sessions will cover the role of the volunteer child advocate, about the Young Center, next steps of the application process, and volunteer screening questions.
As a Child Advocate, you commit to: Visit with the child once a week (1hr) during the duration of their shelter/facility stay. Help the child think through options and decisions. Maintain close communication with Young Center staff and the child’s Case Manager at the shelter to schedule visits. Build organic relationships with the child through child-led activities. Advocate for the best interest of the child.
Volunteer Requirements:
- Must be 21 yrs +
- Be bilingual, preferably in Spanish
- Be able to commit to weekly visits, as needed for on average 3 months.
- Be able to submit & pass state and federal background checks
We would like to extend an invitation to one of our info sessions, where we will be talking more in-depth about our organization and the role of the Volunteer Child Advocate in addition to details about our upcoming Volunteer Child Advocate Training. Prospective volunteers are required to attend a Young Center information session to learn more about the work that we do and the role of the volunteer. To view upcoming information session dates and to attend, please RSVP through the following link: https://mobilize.us/s/84sh8V Young Center - Volunteer Child Advocate Information Session (Harlingen).
If you would like to learn more about the Young Center's work and the volunteer Child Advocate role visit https://www.theyoungcenter.org/accompany-a-child/become-a-child-advocate/ or email LAcosta@theyoungcenter.org
