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Volunteer

Volunteerism at IINE is treasured. There are many ways to be involved and contribute to our effort to support people who are striving to build a new life in a new country.

Learn more about volunteering with IINE in this short video. You can also review location-specific volunteer opportunities below.

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Questions about volunteering?

Boston

Kate Waidler, Volunteer Coordinator
kwaidler@iine.org

Lowell

Kris Honeycutt, Volunteer Coordinator khoneycutt@iine.org

Manchester

Mike Mailloux, Volunteer Coordinator mmailloux@iine.org

Shelter Services

Sarah Miller, Volunteer Specialist
smiller@iine.org

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities

Boston

Transport to Medical Appointments
A much-needed volunteering opportunity for the Community Services program in Boston involves driving IINE clients to various appointments, such as the two mandated Refugee Health Assessment appointments. These take place at the Boston Medical Center, Lynn Community Health Center, or other clinics authorized to provide this service. Volunteers pick up clients at their homes, drive them to, and help them navigate the hospital or clinic. Volunteers are provided pick-up and drop-off addresses, appointment details, and contact information for the client’s case specialist, who will be available on-call throughout the appointment. Other transportation needs include airport pick-up for our newly arriving clients, appointments at the SSA office, etc.
Welcoming Teams/Apartment Set-Ups

As part of welcoming newcomers to the Boston area, we provide clients with the furniture and home goods in their new residences. Volunteers are often needed to help transport items to clients’ apartments and set up their new living spaces. Apartment set-ups are one-time commitments, but volunteers are encouraged to join us again for future opportunities! This is one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences. These are on an as-needed basis and will be listed on SignUp.com.

Career Services Support
Career services tutors help clients create resumes and write cover letters, as well as practice interviewing. Tutoring would be a regular commitment, and training is provided.
ESOL Support
ESOL volunteers meet with students learning English as a second language. This opportunity is remote, and classes are conducted through Zoom. Volunteers meet with students in breakout rooms and go over English assignments given by the ESOL instructor. Volunteers meet for one hour once a week. Orientation, training, and staff support are available to all ESOL volunteers. Note: We are not currently seeking new ESOL volunteers.

Lowell

Refugee Youth Mentors
IINE is recruiting mentors for our refugee youth. Currently, we have 28 youths looking for mentors. Mentors commit to spending two hours a week and connect with their mentees over the youth’s SMART goals. Some of our youths are looking for a mentor to practice English with them. Others would like some support preparing for school or job interviews. Youth in our program are aged 15-24 years old. Their English-speaking levels vary. This volunteer opportunity requires patience, a desire to work with youth, and the ability to set and maintain good boundaries. Volunteers are provided orientation, training, and support from IINE staff.
Refugee Youth Tutors
IINE is also looking for tutors for ten refugee youth who have been coming to the IINE Lowell office twice a week to learn. Youth are working on a variety of subjects with volunteer tutors, including but not limited to studying for MCAS exams, preparing for their GED, homework assistance, and assistance with learning English as a second language. Tutoring sessions occur in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Volunteers can participate in one or both sessions.
Thursday Food Delivery Drivers
Every Thursday, IINE Lowell delivers about 2,000 lbs. of food to our most food-insecure families, typically about 30-34 families in Lowell, Dracut, Lawrence, and Methuen. Drivers arrive at the IINE office around noon, and volunteer sorters load boxes into the driver’s cars. The volunteer coordinator will provide you with a list of 5-8 homes to deliver to in a specific area. This typically takes about 2 hours. This is a reoccurring event that can be signed up for weekly.
ESOL Support
ESOL volunteers meet with students learning English as a second language. This opportunity is remote, and classes are conducted through zoom meetings. Volunteers meet with students in breakout rooms and go over English assignments given by the ESOL instructor. Volunteers meet for one hour once a week. Orientation, training, and staff support are available to all ESOL volunteers.
Walking Tour
Conduct a walking tour of downtown Lowell for IINE clients who have newly arrived. Volunteers will be provided with site locations to walk to, talking points, and client names. The purpose of the walking tour is to acclimate IINE new arrivals with the Lowell area as well as walking safety and chances to connect with a volunteer/other new arrival families.
Bus Tour
Provide new arrivals with tools on how to ride the bus in Lowell. Volunteers will go over how to board the bus, pay, and request a stop as well as how to refill bus passes. Volunteers will be provided with resources including a video on how to refill bus passes. The purpose of the bus tour is to acclimate IINE new arrivals with how to ride the bus.
Administrative Support
Support the team with RCA (Refugee Cash Assistance) check mailings and Haitian client binders. We can be flexible around volunteers’ schedules working within regular business hours Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

Manchester

ESOL Classroom Support Mentors
IINE is recruiting mentors to help with classroom learning activities and conversation circles and to help facilitate breakout rooms for remote students participating on Zoom. Depending on program needs, mentors can participate either in person or via Zoom. Volunteers can sign up for 1-3 days per week. Student English-speaking levels vary, so this volunteer opportunity requires patience, a desire to work with adults, and the ability to set and maintain good boundaries. Volunteers are provided orientation, training, and support from IINE staff.
Volunteer Drivers
The Manchester site is looking for drivers to help transport clients to medical appointments, job interviews, and social & wellness activities. Volunteers must have valid driver’s licenses, auto insurance, and a willingness to transport clients. Volunteer opportunities vary by need.
Welcoming Teams/Apartment Set-Ups
Apartment helpers assist the Community Service Team in welcoming new arriving families. Volunteers work alongside IINE staff to help move furniture and decorate the apartment to make a warm and welcoming home environment. This is one of the most rewarding experiences volunteers can participate in. Scheduling is on-call as needed based on upcoming arrival.
Events Teams
Help set up and decorate for IINE events and fundraisers. This is a fun way to spend a day working as a team and getting to know the community we serve.

Shelter Services

Apartment Set-Ups

As part of welcoming newcomers, IINE provides clients with furniture and home goods in their new residences. Volunteers are often needed to help transport items to clients’ apartments and set up their new living spaces. Apartments will be in various cities and towns in the Greater Boston and Greater Lowell regions. Apartment set-ups are one-time commitments, but volunteers are encouraged to join us again for future opportunities! This is one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences. These are on an as-needed basis and will be listed on SignUp.com.

Transportation Assistance

IINE is looking for drivers to help transport clients to medical appointments, job interviews, and social and wellness activities. Volunteers must have valid driver’s licenses, auto insurance, and a willingness to transport clients. Volunteer opportunities vary by need.

Public Transit Assistance

Provide new arrivals with tools on how to ride the subway and bus in Boston, Lowell, and other surrounding cities (depending on where the clients live). Volunteers will review how to board transportation, pay, and request a stop on the bus, as well as how to refill passes. Volunteers will be provided with resources including a video on how to refill bus passes.

Community Education

Volunteers will spend time with family members to teach them community skills, such as how to read a map of their neighborhood, obtain a library card, and more.

Career Services Support

Career Services tutors help clients to create resumes and write cover letters, as well as practice interviewing. Tutoring would be a regular commitment, and training is provided.

Volunteer with IINE

Please complete this form to learn more about our volunteer opportunities

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