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A fresh start
Our volunteers play a vital role in bridging the gap between our education centers and the outside world. Most of our participants have faced immense hardship in their journeys here: this is their fresh start.
Made up of more than 100 local residents and other immigrants, our team strives to make newcomers and refugees feel welcome and supported in their new lives in as many ways as we can. We love what we do, but our success depends upon the backing of our caring community.
Get started in 4 easy steps.
1) Apply
Choose your volunteer track and fill out our Volunteer Interest Form
We offer both full-time, part-time, and virtual volunteer opportunities.
2) Speak to our staff
Our program director will reach out to schedule either a phone call or in-person meeting.
This is where we’ll discuss time commitment, what volunteer tracks interest you, and specific responsibilities.
3) Orientation & Training
Once we find a position match, we’ll bring you through an orientation and get you trained.
We provide 10 hours of initial mentorship training with ongoing support throughout your time with us.
4) Volunteer
Volunteering begins! You won’t be alone though. You’ll have a dedicated contact person that you can reach out to at any time.
You’ll also complete monthly reports and receive additional support.
Part-Time Volunteer Tracks
2-3 hours a week for a 6 month committment. Both virtual and in-person opportunities available.
Fill out our Volunteer Interest Form to get started.
Buddy Mentor
Conversation Partner
Conversation partners facilitate weekly, in-person group discussions at one of our three locations (Sarasota, Pinellas, or Tampa). The goal here is to provide a supportive, informal environment for immigrants to practice their English and build confidence in their conversational skills.
You’ll engage in language games and lead casual conversations about current events.
Newcomer Youth Study Buddy
Our youth study buddies play a crucial role in helping newcomer immigrant students in grades K-12 learn English, improve their academic skills, and prepare for college. Volunteers can tutor either individuals or small groups both in-person or virtually.
Community Ambassador
Community ambassadors have a chance to use their own immigrant experiences to make a meaningful impact in the community. As an ambassador, you’ll have the opportunity to share your unique, personal experiences of resettlement.
Well-Being Program Facilitator
Our well-being program facilitators support refugee and immigrant families who have experienced hardship in their travels. They lead engaging activities like art and music for kids, conduct mindfulness and healing sessions, all geared towards promoting relaxation and emotional well-being in the community.
Intern
Perfect for university students, our NicerFL interns support our organization through mentoring, marketing efforts, and more technical roles.
Group and Career Mentors
Our volunteers in action
When I initially began volunteering with NicerFL, it was in a virtual capacity in tutoring our Advanced ESOL learners through Zoom. I have more recently been able to tutor students in-person in Pinellas County, which has also been enriching and fun. Each week, the experience of tutoring immigrants impressed upon me how lucky I am to learn from them. These students have so much to offer, and the time that we spend together imparts lessons to both the student and the tutor. While they are building English vocabulary, auditory, and written langauge skills, I am equipped with lessons in empathy, the immigration system, and the expansion of my worldview.
I have been able to support young adults on the job hunt by reviewing resumes, sharing about holiday traditions in the US with newcomers, and engaging young kids with very little English vocabulary in games of charade, memory, matching, and “eye spy”. These varied experiences have been deeply rewarding and fulfilling. I have made some lovely friends in the individuals who participate in the NicerFL program, and am proud to participate in the community this program fosters.
