Current Volunteer Needs

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

Business Consultant
Seeking business consultants in a variety of areas: Accounting, Law, Business Start-Up/Expansion, Graphic Arts, Insurance and more. If you want to share your professional talents as a volunteer with our agency, contact us.

Required Qualifications: Experience, education, licensing (if necessary) in the professional area in which you wish to volunteer. Cultural sensitivity and flexibility are essential.

Professional Money Management Teachers
The Economic Development Department’s IDA program provides an opportunity for its clients to save money and have their money matched through grants for large assets such as a business or a home!! Before any client can spend their savings on their assets they must take four basic classes. These classes are banking, credit, consumer skills and budgeting. In addition to the four basic classes, the department also offers three Home Buying courses. We offer a curriculum for each of the courses but always welcome creative input and knowledge. All of the courses are taught at the Institute.

The Economic Development Department seeks professional volunteers with a background in:

Banking
Credit
Consumer Skills
Budgeting, and/or
Home Buying

Each volunteer should have an understanding of the International Institute’s mission and agree to uphold that mission while providing services to our clients. Volunteers do not need teaching degrees/certificates, but must express a desire to provide that service.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

After School Tutor
The Education department is seeking reliable volunteer assistance for our after school program. Responsibilities include assisting secondary students (14 years +) one-on-one or it small groups with homework, providing computer instruction and assistance and providing general guidance and support to youth.

Time Commitment: One or more days a week. The program runs Monday through Thursday from 3:30 - 5:30 pm. The program begins in October and ends in late May.

Required Qualifications: Willingness to tutor in one or more of the following areas: English, Math, Science, History/Social Studies; ability to work will with others and independently; interest in working with high school students; ability to speak English well; dependable and punctual; and cultural sensitivity and flexibility essential.

Front Desk Assistant
The Education department is seeking reliable volunteer assistance for our registrar at the front desk. Responsibilities include answering phones, transferring calls, and assisting clients and students with inquiries and purchases of school supplies. Positions are available Monday through Thursday from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Required Qualifications: Receptionist experience a plus; professional demeanor; ability to handle phones and in-person inquiries; desire to interact with and assist new Americans with limited English proficiency; detail oriented and punctual; cultural sensitivity essential. All applicants will complete an interview and background check.

Literacy Tutor
The Education department is seeking motivated volunteers to tutor adult students in our ESOL Program (English for Speakers of Other Languages). Volunteers will work with one to three students in structured lessons prepared by the Education staff. The program runs Monday through Thursday from 12:45-3:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday 6:00-8:30 p.m. Volunteers may choose to work one or more days each week as a tutor.

Required Qualifications: tutoring or teaching experience a plus; native speaker proficiency in English; ability to work well with others; desire to work with new Americans; dependable and punctual; cultural sensitivity and flexibility essential. All applicants will complete an interview and background check.

Teacher's Aide - English Classes
T.A. will assist the teacher with preparation and implementation of the lessons, assist individual students or groups with English practice under the guidance of the teacher, and more... Time commitment: One or more days a week. Program options: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; Monday- Thursday 1:00-3:30 p.m.; Monday-Thursday 6:00-8:30 p.m. Classes run year round.

Required Qualifications: Ability to work well with others Ability to work independently Ability to speak English well Dependable and punctual; Cultural sensitivity and flexibility essential.

Required Experience: Upper level classes: ESL or Elementary Education background strongly considered; Must not be afraid of speaking in front of and working with large groups of students. All applicants will complete an interview and background check.

ELDERLY SERVICES PROGRAM

Elderlinks Assistant
Volunteer needed to assist with weekly Bosnian Elderlinks meetings. Meetings are Tuesday mornings from 9-12 and take place off-site from the International Institute. Volunteers should be willing to work with elderly Bosnian refugees. Activities include bingo, education and other social activities.

Required Qualifications: Volunteers should be culturally sensitive, willing to work with non-native speakers of English, and able to make a weekly commitment to the meetings. All applicants will complete an interview and background check.

EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT

Computer Instructor
The Employment Services department is seeking volunteer assistance teaching beginning to intermediate computer skills. Volunteer must be available to teach during regular office hours (between 9am and 5pm).

Required Qualifications: Intermediate computer knowledge; prior instructional experience preferred. All applicants will complete an interview and background check.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Home Visitor
The Social Services Department is seeking responsible volunteers to visit the homes of our clients to perform safety checks. The volunteer will determine the safety of the clients’ home by observing and demonstrating on proper use of home appliances, utilities and general welfare of the family. Training will be provided and the first home visit will be conducted in conjunction with the family’s caseworker.

Time Commitment: Generally, a minimum of two visits per week lasting between one hour and one and a half hours. Visits will last for a total of four weeks. Visits must be made between the hours of 9am and 6pm.

Required Qualifications: Adult, 21 years of age or older; completion of criminal background check; driver’s license and access to reliable transportation; cultural sensitivity and flexibility essential; desire to work with and assist new American families; understanding of and commitment to the mission of the agency.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Discover St. Louis - Field Trip Chaperone
The Education department is looking for volunteers to assist the Saturday program coordinator in executing safe and educational trips for clients and families. Chaperones serve as a guide for small groups of refugee and immigrant families during the trip. Responsibilities include initiating conversations with clients and helping them practice English during the trip. Additionally, volunteers help assure the safety and punctual arrival of groups at designated meeting points.

Required Qualifications: Ability to speak English well; dependable and punctual; desire to meet new Americans and explore St. Louis together; interest in helping new Americans learn and practice English; cultural sensitivity and patience essential.

Festival of Nations
The International Institute’s Festival of Nations unites the world’s many cultures for a two-day event. Musical performances, dance troupes & drum circles keep festival-goers feet tapping while the international cuisine offerings delight the senses. Craft demonstrations, children’s activities & gift booths line the walkways of Tower Grove Park. Volunteers can join in many of the activities & be right in the middle of the action. Selling drinks, acting as a stage assistant, helping with children’s activities, greeting visitors & assisting with sports demonstrations are all volunteer possibilities.

Requirements: Volunteers should complete a Festival of Nations volunteer application. Some volunteer activities require the participant to be 21 years of age or older.