Volunteer with the Refugee Education Center
Dedicating your valuable resource of time will create a more welcoming West Michigan and positively impact the lives of local refugee students.
“These children straddle multiple cultures and identities. With that, they bring so much beauty and excitement into this program. My role as a volunteer is to follow the Refugee Education Center programming designed to give these children a strong foundation to succeed as they grow in the United States.”
Join us in supporting our new American neighbors on their journeys to become fully participating community members and by being friends in this time of change!
Please review our current volunteer positions below and complete the form at the bottom of the page to indicate your interest.
To volunteer, you must be at least 16 years old and pass a background check. Hands Connected volunteers must also be tested for TB.
Volunteer Positions
BRIDGES Lead Teacher
BIRDGES Lead Teachers work closely with the K-12 Programs Coordinator, K-12 Programs Specialist, and Classroom Support volunteers to lead groups of children/youth in basic literacy and numeracy skill-building and other activities provided by the Refugee Education Center. Learn more here.
BRIDGES Intern
BRIDGES Interns are responsible for welcoming students in the mornings, assisting with the Summer BRIDGES program, being involved with activities, games, snack, and lunch times, and supporting any needs that arise. Interns must come along on field trips and will assist with various tasks and responsibilities necessary for maintaining and supporting effective services for the students. Learn more here.
BRIDGES Classroom Support
BRIDGES Classroom Support volunteers work closely with the K-12 Programs Coordinator, K-12 Programs Specialist and Lead Teachers to support groups of children/youth in basic literacy and numeracy skill-building and other activities provided by REC. Learn more here.
BRIDGES Outdoor Activity Aid
BRIDGES Outdoor Activity Aid volunteers work closely with the K-12 Program Coordinator & Specialist and other BRIDGES volunteers to support fun and engaging activities for students. Learn more here.
Once we receive your information, a Refugee Education Center team member will contact you regarding next steps.
If you have questions, please email anna@refugeeeducationcenter.org.
“When I first started as a volunteer, it didn’t take long for me to realize that this was going to be a mutually beneficial relationship. Right away, I was learning and growing along with the students I encountered. They had so much to teach me about themselves and their experience, as well as about myself and my community.”