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, and Corpus Christi, TX and surrounding areas.
Make a difference in the life of an unaccompanied immigrant child by volunteering to serve as a Child Advocate. 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 get to know prospective volunteers through an initial screening interview, an application and reference check, and at the required two-day training. Once assigned to an individual child, each Child Advocate receives continuing training, support, and supervision from the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights.
As a Child Advocate, you commit to:
- Visit with the child once a week (1hr) during the duration of their shelter/facility stay. (In-person visits preferred, but virtual is available under circumstances)
- Help the child think through options and decisions.
- Conduct research on the child’s situation in his or her home country.
- Help our staff draft written reports regarding the child’s best interest.
- Maintain close communication with Young Center staff and the child’s Case Manager at the shelter to schedule visits.
- 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 or 12 months, as needed
- Be able to submit & pass state and federal background checks
- Vaccinated against COVID-19
We will be having a 2-day trainings volunteers can attend:
Saturday September 23rd & Sunday September 24th from 9am-3:30pm
If you would like to learn more about the Young Center's work and the volunteer Child Advocate role visit theyoungcenter.org/volunteer.
