From helping clients build confidence in English to driving clients to essential programming, our talented volunteers are the foundation that allows us to effectively bridge gaps for newcomers. For over a decade we have been a trusted community partner, harnessing the talents and welcoming spirit of local Richmonders to support newcomers on their path toward self-sufficiency.
See where you might fit in:
1:1 Matching Support- Work with clients directly to achieve goals tailored to their specific needs.
Program Support- Help make our programs as accessible and excellent as possible.
Administrative Support- Bolster our organizational efforts to multiply our impact in the community.
Note: All volunteers must be 18 years or older, willing to undergo a background and driving record check, and complete our volunteer onboarding. We also ask that volunteers live within the greater Richmond area. All volunteer roles and opportunities are unpaid.
1:1 Matching Support
English Tutor
This is a consistent need. No prior language teaching experience required.
Time commitment: 1 hour/week for 6-12 months.
Location: Client’s home (some limited virtual and public spaces opportunities)
What to expect: Language is the largest barrier newcomers face. English tutors provide tailored support to our clients’ needs, whether that is learning the very basics of English for the first time, strengthening their written communication for employment, or having dedicated space to practice their English conversation skills. Volunteers must be flexible, creative, and engaging to effectively help clients face the steep challenge of language learning toward more comfortable proficiency.
Volunteer Support:
Quarterly training and troubleshooting with an ESL expert.
English tutoring kits with an Oxford picture dictionary and other materials
Volunteer portal + monthly newsletter with resources
Transportation Independence Program Volunteer
This is a consistent need, with some busy seasons. Volunteers with Dari, Pashto, Spanish, Russian, or Ukrainian strongly preferred.
Time commitment: Variable, see below
Location: In-person, at client’s homes, around town
What to Expect: Transportation access is a constant struggle newcomers deal with. Volunteers can support in a number of ways:
Bus Guide – Help clients navigate the bus system (4-5 hours/session)
Driving in VA Orientation — Run a set curriculum on basics of driving in Virginia, one of the above languages required. (1-2 hours/session)
DMV Navigation Support — Help clients prepare and go to the DMV for various needs (3-4 hours/session)
Basic Driving Skills Support — Support clients in preparing for Behind the Wheel driving practice (6-10 hours/session)
Citizenship Test Preparation
This is an occasional need.
Time commitment: 1 hour/week for up to 6 months, year round
Location: Client’s home (some limited virtual and public spaces opportunities)
What to Expect: Those coming to the US through the US resettlement process are eligible for citizenship. Volunteers help to study and prepare for the citizenship test and other citizenship requirements.
Mentor: Personal Finance Skills
This is an occasional need. Preference for Dari, Pashto, Spanish, Russian, or Ukrainian speakers.
Time commitment: 1 hour/week for up to 3 months, year round
Location: Client’s home (some limited virtual and public spaces opportunities)
What to Expect: Volunteers guide clients through the basics of personal finance in the US using a curated ReEstablish Richmond curriculum. Proficiency in personal finance skills is preferred for this role.
Mentor: Employment Navigation + Networking
This is an occasional need. Subject areas: Medicine, Business, Car Mechanics, IT, Education, Social Services, Music, Administrative Management.
Time commitment: 1 hour/week for up to 3 months, year round
Location: Client’s home, (some limited virtual and public spaces opportunities)
What to Expect: Entering the job market is one of the most crucial and difficult tasks newcomers face. Volunteer support can range from using your own experiences and career expertise to prepare a client for work in a similar field to simpler support like resume writing and helping fill out applications.
Interpreter/Translator
This is an occasional need. Preference for: Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, French, Hindi, Kinyarwanda, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Urdu speakers.
Time commitment: Varies
Location: Client’s home, virtual, public spaces
What to Expect: Volunteer translators with the above language backgrounds can provide crucial support to our team and programs.
Program Support
Driver for Programs
This is a consistent need. Next classes starting February 2025.
Time commitment: 1-2 hours/week as needed
Location: Client’s home, public spaces
What to Expect: Our in-person programming is largely successful because we pick up clients and bring them to our programming. Volunteers use their personal vehicles to pick up clients at their homes and drive them to program activities.
Childcare for Programs
This is a consistent need. Next classes starting February 2025.
Time commitment: 1-2 hours/week as needed
Location: Public spaces
What to Expect: Providing childcare at all of our programs further makes our in-person programming. Volunteers hang out with children 2 years and up during programming, building connections with families involved in our programs.
Conversation Cafe English Tutor
This is new and seasonal need.
Time commitment: 1 hour/week, 6:45-7:45 p.m. on Wednesdays, January 15 - March 26, 2025
Location: Third Church
What to Expect: We are thrilled to partner with Third Church to add a Conversation Cafe alongside their youth tutoring program. Volunteers will join in with a group of newcomers for an hour of short instruction and then 1:1 conversation to help those at an intermediate level of English improve their speaking confidence. Must complete volunteer on-boarding to participate
Heela Sewing Course Volunteer
This is a consistent need. Next classes starting January 2025.
Time commitment: 2 hours/week for 11 weeks, 3 courses/year
Location: Client’s home, virtual, public spaces
What to Expect: With two different level courses, Heela provides both practical skills to empower women as well as camaraderie around developing a skill. Level 1 is a hybrid course, where clients are guided by videos to create at home projects. Volunteers support by checking in on clients every few weeks to drop of project kits, measuring progress, and troubleshooting machine errors (limited sewing knowledge preffered). Level 2 is an advanced sewing course where volunteers can help as classroom aids and troubleshooters (strong sewing skills required).
Special Event Support
This is a seasonal need.
Time commitment: a few hours, depending on the event
Location: Public spaces
What to Expect: Throughout the year ReEstbalish Richmond holds a few key events to reach out to the community. Volunteers support efforts in a variety of ways at events aiding out team in helping events run smoothly and effectively. The two key events we hold are the Multicultural Festival in June and the Refugee and Immigrant Volunteer Summit in February.
Administrative Support
Community Outreach Event Support
This is an occasional need.
Time commitment: a few hours, depending on the event
Location: Public spaces
What to Expect: We are privileged to be invited to a wide range of community events throughout the year from resource fairs to ethnic community events, volunteers can join us at our table to share their firsthand experiences of volunteering with ReEstablish Richmond and acting as an ambassador alongside our Outreach Team.
Organizational Capacity Building
This is an occasional need.
Time commitment: varies depending on project
Location: ReEstablish Richmond Office, public spaces
What to Expect: As a small non-profit with a lean staff, we are always open to volunteers sharing their time, talents, and energy to support us administratively. Whether that is photography and video projects, tech support, event planning, or other professional skills, we are open to having you support our team.