The Center for New North Carolinians relies on volunteers from all walks of life to help serve our local immigrant and refugee families. Volunteering with the CNNC is a great way to serve others while building bridges between new and existing communities in the Greensboro area. Below are several ways to get involved while helping to welcome our newest neighbors! If interested in any of these volunteering opportunities please contact Aaron Hall at [email protected] or call (336)256-1067.
1. Community Centers
The CNNC’s three community centers: Glen Haven, Oakwood Forest and Ashton Woods, provide various opportunities for volunteers to serve directly in immigrant’s neighborhoods and communities while aiding in the ongoing education and integration of immigrant and refugee families into the local community. By far the largest and most popular program is our after school tutoring. Volunteers are given the opportunity to build mentoring relationships with newcomer youth while preparing them for academic success. Volunteers spend three hours once a week assisting immigrant youth with their homework while emphasizing reading and math skills. Other after school activities include social enrichment programs such as boys and girls groups and field trips. The centers aren’t just for the kids however. There are also volunteer opportunities to work with adults as well such as ESL, citizenship, and health literacy classes as well as vocational training. The opportunities are endless!
2. Immigrant Health ACCESS
Volunteers with a proficiency in Spanish and a background in social work, public health, or family development are highly encouraged to volunteer with the Immigrant Health ACCESS Project (IHAP). Volunteers assist immigrants in navigating the often complex and confusing new healthcare system they encounter upon their arrival. Individuals volunteering with IHAP assist newcomers in overcoming language and cultural barriers in acquiring treatment and disease prevention, while working with local safety net providers to assure every member of the immigrant community has primary care.
3. Latino Community Coalition
The Latino Community Coalition seeks the involvement of local Latino professionals from various local agencies and businesses to strengthen and support the Latino Community in Guilford County by promoting advocacy and education. Individuals come together and build community through sponsored events and networking gatherings. The LCC is also initiating an outreach and education program at Foust elementary school which would provide volunteers an opportunity to help provide health and vocational instruction, ESOL, and after school tutoring to an area with a large Latino population.
4. Thriving at Three
Individuals who love working with small children up to the age of three can volunteer with our Thriving at Three program. Thriving at Three seeks to build a strong developmental foundation for the infants and very young children of Latino immigrants through parental education, support, and care coordination. Volunteers from several backgrounds, especially those with social work, family development or educational experience are well suited to assist the program.
5. Micro-Enterprise for Refugees in the Triad (MERIT)
Individuals with a background in business, finance, or with entrepreneurial experience can help our immigrant neighbors become self-sufficient and prosperous members of our community by becoming a part of the MERIT program, a partnership with the North Carolina African Services Coalition. Volunteers can utilize their knowledge to help others develop capital resources as well as repairing or building their credit history.