Help Immigrants Access Justice as a Community Navigator

Community Navigators are trained volunteers who provide invaluable outreach, education, document preparation, and referrals to services and resources to the many diverse communities in Illinois. Community Navigators are trained on immigrant education topics such as Know Your Rights, preparing emergency family plans, and immigration policy updates, and they conduct education presentations in schools, community colleges, places of worship, and community events to reach thousands of immigrants. Community Navigators also connect immigrants to legal services in the network.

Activities

Community Navigators will volunteer 40-60 hours between Sep. 1, 2025-June 30, 2026. Activities will include:

• Provide at least 20 educational presentations or trainings
• Reach at least 100 people through immigrant education presentations and information
• Refer at least 25 people to legal services
• Provide accompaniment services to at least 25 people
• Refer people to other needed services such as mental health support, housing, and employment and training support
• Keep accurate records of activities
• Attend monthly trainings and meetings

Qualifications

Community Navigators should reside in or around Southwest Suburbs of Chicago (Aurora, Bolingbrook, Naperville, Plainfield, Winfield) with interest and experience in assisting community residents to access needed services, including immigration legal services. Community navigators should be able to assist members of the immigrant community in developing personal plans to overcome challenges and access opportunities building on the interests, strengths, and expertise of community residents. Navigators should be able to work as part of a team and be comfortable in making presentations and leading training.

Community navigators should be able to communicate in a language other than English.

Compensation

Navigators will be compensated $500 at the completion of 40 hours at the end of the program (June 2026).