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.
Operational 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.
Our current high need area is for volunteers with daytime availability who can drive clients to our programs. For all other volunteer availability, scroll to see frequency of need.
Spanish speakers are currently not the largest language group that we are working with. If you are bilingual and looking to utilize Spanish, we recommend supporting our fantastic partners supporting the Richmond Latino Community: Sacred Heart Center, Waymakers Foundation, Crossover Healthcare Ministries, Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center, or consider local school systems.
1:1 Matching Support
English Tutor
This is a consistent need. No prior language teaching experience required. Female volunteers with daytime availability more consistently needed.
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.
Transportation Independence Program Volunteer
This is an occasional need, with some busy seasons. Seeking volunteers with Dari, Pashto, Arabic, or Spanish fluency.
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 with fluency in Dari, Pashto, Arabic, or Spanish can support in the following ways:
Bus Guide – Help clients navigate the bus system (4-5 hours/session)
DMV Navigation Support — Help clients prepare and go to the DMV for various needs (3-4 hours/session)
Mentor: Employment Navigation + Networking
Seeking volunteers with work experience in the following subject areas: Medicine, Business, Car Mechanics, IT, Education, Social Services, Administrative Management.
Time commitment: 1-2 hours
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. Volunteers will meet with a client and our Employment Navigation coach to share their own experiences and career expertise to prepare a client for work in a similar field.
Program Support
Driver for Programs
This is a consistent and urgent need, particularly for daytime drivers in Western Henrico.
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 provide clients with transportation to and from class. 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 for daytime volunteers in Western Henrico
Time commitment: 3-6 hours/week as needed
Location: Public spaces
What to Expect: Providing childcare for all our programming makes our classes accessible to clients. Volunteers hang out with children, ages 6 months and older during programming, building connections with families involved in our programs.
Snack and Grocery Shopping Volunteer
This is a consistent need.
Time commitment: 1-2 hours/week as needed
Location: Public spaces
What to Expect: Each week it is a priority for us to serve healthy snacks for the adults in our classes and the children in our childcare. Volunteers will coordinate with staff, shop, and then drop off food on Monday afternoon for all classes that week. Donated food is appreciated, but gift cards are also available for shoppers.
Conversation Cafe English Tutor
This is seasonal need in Fall and Spring.
Time commitment: 1 hour/week, Wednesdays from 6:45-7:45pm
Location: Public spaces
What to Expect: Volunteers will join in with a group of newcomers for a short instruction period followed by 1:1 conversation to help those at an intermediate level of English improve their speaking confidence.
Classroom Aide
This is a seasonal need.
Time commitment: 1 hour/week
Location: Public Spaces
What to Expect: Classroom aides serve as conversation partners during an intermediate level English class either 1:1 or in small groups.
Heela Sewing Course Volunteer
This is a consistent need.
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 can assist by preparing kits at the beginning of the course plus occasional deliveries of supplies or project troubleshooting. Level 2 is an advanced sewing course where volunteers can help as classroom aides 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 Welcome Summit in February.
Operational 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.