Volunteer

Time commitment: 1 hour/month for 3+ months

A Career Coach’s primary function is to meet with a client on a regular basis to practice English, look for professional resources in the area, and provide assistance with the job search. This includes professional support according to the needs of the mentee. For example:

• Assist clients in obtaining the necessary credentials, education, experience, and job skills to secure employment in professional and/or skilled career fields.
• Discuss appropriate career pathways and help create personalized career development plans, including resume assistance and interview preparation.
• Advise on necessary training and technical assistance, such as digital literacy.

As a Client Services Volunteer, you will have the opportunity to help Canopy through:

• Providing transportation for clients to improve their economic or educational success. This includes transportation to job interviews, medical appointments, parent-teacher conferences, and the Social Security office. These needs occur variably and drivers may transport a variety of clients. 
• Providing transportation for clients to attend English class at Ozark Literacy Council. Drivers may be paired with an individual client to transport weekly. 

Note: If you plan to help transport clients, please have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance.

Canopy works with Ozark Literacy Council (OLC) to provide in-home tutoring for Canopy clients who face barriers to attending in-person ESL classes.

All volunteers interested in being an in-home tutor should sign up through OLC or email info@ozarkliteracy.org for more detail.

Community Connection Mentors are paired with an individual Canopy client to serve as a friend and support system. Mentors meet socially with the mentee regularly to practice English and provide friendship, as well as to support the mentee in navigating the local community, achieving their goals, and learning about U.S. cultural norms.

Time commitment: 1 hour/week for 3 months

We are looking for skilled volunteers to assist graduates of Canopy’s Entrepreneurship program who started their businesses.

Do you love helping students? Do you have a passion for working with youth? Our after-school program might be the perfect place for you! Afterschool program volunteers are paired with refugee youth to engage with them once a week for a semester at the afterschool program. Volunteers help youth with art projects, English skills, and adapting to life in the U.S.

Time commitment: 2 hours/week

As an after-school volunteer, you will help with:

• Transportation of students from school to the program
• Tutoring and homework help
• English-language practice
• Preparing snacks and activities and more!

Summer Program Volunteers

Summer Program Volunteers help with Canopy’s summer programming for K-12 youth. Volunteers commit to helping out for several days in June during programming, which occurs 9am-2pm on weekdays. Volunteers help transport kids to activities, prepare snacks, and assist with activities. 

Canopy offers an after-school program for younger students and older students. As a volunteer, you can choose which age group you prefer to work with, or you can choose to volunteer with both.
Note: It is helpful when Summer Program Volunteers can help for consecutive days or an entire week, though it is not required. 

Conversation Circles give Canopy clients confidence with conversational English in a relaxed setting. One or two volunteers meet weekly with three to six Canopy clients to talk in English about food, work, family, culture, etc. Volunteers are provided with a curriculum and ideas to serve as a guide, engaging all members of the group.