Tutor Refugees and Immigrants in English with a Friend! (Partner Opportunity)

Tutor a refugee or immigrant in fundamental English literacy skills with a partner! You and your volunteer partner (chosen by you) will tutor both the parent(s) and child(ren), so together they become confident speakers, readers, and writers of English.

Catholic Charities Refugee Integration Services works with refugee communities and other partners to design programs that leverage community assets to facilitate the integration of refugees and immigrants into communities across southeastern Wisconsin.

Our Approach:

To foster integration, we focus on five instructional approaches:

• Cultural Humility
• Resiliency
• Community Cultural Wealth
• Strength-Based Approach
• Trauma Informed Care

Volunteer Role Description - English Together Volunteer:

You and your partner will tutor an adult learner(s) from a refugee or immigrant family so that he or she becomes a confident speaker, reader, and writer of English. You will focus on fundamental literacy skills with the aid of Catholic Charities pre-made lesson plans and instructional books.

Traits and Tasks:

• At least 21 years old to volunteer
• Comfortable driving to the learner’s home (typically on the southside of Milwaukee)
• Comfortable communicating in English to speakers of various levels
• Additional language speaking abilities welcomed but not required
• Patience with learners who have never read before in any language

What We Provide You:

• 30-minute information session to learn more about the role and program
• 2 online learning modules (35 minutes each)
• 1:1 virtual training session with our Refugee Integration Specialist before you get started
• Pre-made lesson plans and workbooks

The Commitment:

• 1:1 tutoring with a learner or group of learners in their home
• 1-2 times per week for 45-60 minutes (plus lesson prep time)
• Weekdays or weekends
• 6-month minimum commitment to build report with your learner

Your Impact:

• In 2024, 110 volunteers spent 5,685 hours connecting with 211 refugees and immigrants, impacting 959 family members.
• Since 2019, 145 refugees have become U.S. citizens!
• Session by session, you can help a learner write their name for the first time, empower them to assist their children with their homework, identify the food they need as the grocery store, and so much more!

Contact with Questions:

Email: volunteer@ccmke.org

Call: (414) 769-3402

Watch our video to learn more: Volunteer Spotlight