CCS seeks volunteer tutors for refugees

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Catholic Community Services is asking for volunteers to increase its volunteer youth tutoring program. While the program already has eight tutors, with the influx of recent refugees there is a great need for more participants, said Ermina Mustafic, supervisor of volunteer programs for CCS’ migration and refugee services. “Our youth tutors provide additional support to the youth in our program, whether that’s refugee foster care or the children who are in our refugee resettlement programs.”

Clients need some extra support in learning English, with their schoolwork and sometimes youth tutors help refugees get their driving permits, she said. Some refugees also need assistance studying for GED or different placement tests.

Participants must pass a background check and complete some child and youth protection training. The program is a good fit for university students or retired teachers, although people from all walks of life are welcome, Mustafic said.

While Spanish-speaking tutors are especially needed, volunteers who speak English or other languages are welcome in the program. Tutors can provide help in different subjects depending on their own background.

“There is a varied need so if you feel like you are comfortable teaching English or tutoring English in the same way you’d help your own children through school, it is the same way you support the clients,” Mustafic said.

Tutors will attend a match meeting where they are introduced to the individual client and they establish some goals together; they are asked to meet with them for at least two hours each week, usually at the client’s home, although libraries or a nearby coffee shop can work. Initially the commitment is for three months, although volunteers can decide to extend their service.

The next volunteer orientation is April 12 by Zoom from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mustafic is working on a prerecorded orientation, which should be available in May. Sign up for the April 12 orientation at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ccs-volunteer-orientation-tickets-143162134799.

Mustafic encourages those who are interested in volunteering with CCS to explore other opportunities, such as the family mentoring program, at ccs.org.

“It’s a really beautiful program because you watch the clients learn and grow over the course of a year,” she said. “There are so many clients that we still have that are from Afghanistan and multiple other countries, so it will be nice to get some more people onboard.”