Volunteer Opportunities
Must be of age 18+ to volunteer unless otherwise noted.
Afterschool Youth Program - Homework Assistance
AACI Youth Services is in need of adult volunteers to provide homework assistance. Of all the tools available to our youth, education is by far the most important one in the path towards a brighter future. The subjects that are currently in most need of assistance are middle school-level math and grammar.
Volunteers are needed at the following times:
Monday - Wednesday from 2:00-3:45 PM
Thursday from 1:00-2:45 PM
Staff would prefer volunteers who are interested in volunteering on a regular basis for at least 2-3 months.
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Asian American Voices - Event Assistance
Throughout the year, Silicon Valley Asian American Voices hosts events to spread awareness and engage the community through dialogue and a screening of our movie. For these events, we need dedicated people for our logistical coordination. To make these events successful, we are looking for volunteers to help out in various ways.
- Assist with set-up, breakdown, and other minor tasks during community dialogue events
No minimum age requirement.
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Asian American Voices - Outreach & Communications
Silicon Valley Asian American Voices is a project that aims to advocate for immigrants, educate the public about immigrant contributions, and relay stories about immigrant accomplishments. In order to build trust between our communities and to help the immigrant population with integration, outreach is an important part of this process.
- Help generate interest and participation in project events and activities using various mutimedia tools
Outreach can range from a number of activites:
- Updating and mainting the Voices website
- Overseeing the online discussions forum
- Developing communication messages and social media content
- Writing online blog articles
- Composing newsletters
- Establishing promotions
- Collecting community stories
- Tabling at community events
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Asian American Voices - Program & Admin Assistance
Much work goes into the production for all aspects of the Silicon Valley Asian American Voices Project. We are constantly working on increasing the visibility of Voices, and we are looking for assistance in our program implementation. We have a multi-layered online and in-person presence to let people know about the immigrant community, and we would love to have more volunteers to spread the word.
- Assist in the planning and implementation of project events and activities
- Community Dialogues
- Online Discussions
- Film Screenings
- Presentations
- DVD Distribution
- Help with program evaluation, i.e. data collection, entry, and analysis
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Asian American Voices - Small Group Facilitation
Silicon Valley Asian American Voices is dedicated towards creating a connection between the public and the immigrant population at large by telling the stories of these immigrants' experiences in the US. Through a series of events, Voices engages the community and sparks discussion on the matter.
- Facilitate or assist with small group discussion during Voices community dialogue events.
- Through the dialogue curriculum, facilitators will guide participants through the discussion of immigrant experiences, contributions, and issues, as well as help them to discover how they can support immigrant newcomers in our community.
- Volunteers will receive a one-hour training prior to facilitating.
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Center for Survivors of Torture - Client Events
The AACI Center for Survivors of Torture organizes several events during holiday times for clients to enjoy and ease the transition to their new lives in the U.S. We have upcoming events planned for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Volunteers are needed for:
- Event/Activity Planning - Helping plan activities, brainstorm ideas, and work out logistics
- Activity Leaders - Help clients enjoy the planned activities during events
- Set Up & Clean Up
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Center for Survivors of Torture - Program Support
The AACI Center for Survivors of Torture is looking for a volunteer to assist with daily administrative office work. Tasks include:
- Compile and organize client charts and files
- Answer phones
- Receive referrals
- Typing and data entry
- Update the website (if possible)
This opportunity requires a consistent volunteer who would come to the office, at least 2 times a week and in 4 hour shifts. Due to the confidential nature of the documents that this volunteer will be required to handle, volunteers are required to undergo a background check. Staff will provide any necessary training.
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Center for Survivors of Torture – Translator
The AACI Center for Survivors of Torture assists survivors of torture from over 60 different countries. Often the clients we assist have limited knowledge of English, making it difficult for them to fully communicate their needs and have their questions answered. CST is looking for volunteers who speak the following languages to assist in intake procedures and possibly also with therapy sessions.
- French
- Swahili
- Farsi
- Arabic
- Chinese/Mandarin
- Russian
- Spanish
- Amharic
- Dari
Due to the confidential nature of this opportunity, prospective volunteers will be required to undergo a background check. Staff will provide training on working in a mental health setting.
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Center for Survivors of Torture - Website Project
The AACI Center for Survivors of Torture program is currently developing a website to increase awareness of the services provided by CST and the needs of torture survivors. CST is looking for a dynamic volunteer who has a background in marketing/communications or project management. Assistance is needed in project management as well as developing content for the website.
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Domestic Violence - Children's Program
Asian Women's Home, the AACI domestic violence shelter, provides temporary shelter for women and their children. We are in need of volunteers who help care for the children while their mothers work with the staff.
Major Responsibilities:
- Provide childcare while mothers attend support groups
- Provide a safe place and a positive, supportive environment for children
- Increase the children's self-reliance and responsibility by offering choices and setting limits
- Develop creative activities and fun, educational field trips for children
Time Commitment: Childcare during groups at various times
*State Certified 40 hr. Training: Required
*Volunteers must be 40 hr. trained in order to do any work directly with clients or at the shelter. These trainings are offered about 3 times a year and we get about two spots for each, so we can process a max of 12 people a year at this time. The training is around 6 weeks, usually twice a week and NOT at our agency. The volunteer is responsible for paying the $65-75 fee for the training and also get fingerprinted at a cost of $10. These funds are not reimbursed.
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Domestic Violence - Community Education
The AACI domestic violence program, is in need of a volunteers to help at outreach events and participate in presentations. This volunteer would be speaking with interested individuals about our program and services, so we expect this person to be knowledgeable about the program and the facts of domestic violence.
Major Responsibilities:
- To attend outreach events and presentation
- To participate in tabling events
Time Commitment: Flexible days and times
*State Certified 40 hr. Training: Required
*Volunteers must be 40 hr. trained in order to do any work directly with clients or at the shelter. These trainings are offered about 3 times a year and we get about two spots for each, so we can process a max of 12 people a year at this time. The training is around 6 weeks, usually twice a week and NOT at our agency. The volunteer is responsible for paying the $65-75 fee for the training and also get fingerprinted at a cost of $10. These funds are not reimbursed.
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Domestic Violence - Emergency Hotline Support
The AACI domestic violence program is in need of volunteers to support our emergency hotline for victims of domestic violence. Many women trapped in violent households look for a way to reach out for help, and a simple phone call may be their only means of communication.
Major Responsibilities:
- To provide support, assistance, and referrals to hotline callers
- To keep domestic violence victims safe
- Answer hotline phones and conduct intake
- Provide support to women and their children by validating their experiences through respectful and active listening
- Provide assistance to women who are in immediate danger (may include arranging for emergency shelter, calling 911, or performing suicide intervention)
- Provide referrals and other information
- Help advocates conduct case management
- Interpretation and translation if possible
Time Commitment: at least 6 months, flexible scheduling but usually Mon.-Fri.
*State Certified 40 hr. Training: Required + 10 hrs of Hotline Training
*Volunteers must be 40 hr. trained in order to do any work directly with clients or at the shelter. These trainings are offered about 3 times a year and we get about two spots for each, so we can process a max of 12 people a year at this time. The training is around 6 weeks, usually twice a week and NOT at our agency. The volunteer is responsible for paying the $65-75 fee for the training and also get fingerprinted at a cost of $10. These funds are not reimbursed.
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Domestic Violence - General Program Support
At AACI, our domestic violence program is always looking for more help around the office for projects and tasks other than those already listed. We are usually open to volunteering ideas, especially if the volunteer is able to work well independently. Asian language speaking volunteers are particularly sought as are those who are fluent in Spanish.
Sample Opportunities:
Direct Client Services (40 hr. training required*)
Translator & Interpreter
Main Office Administrative Assistant
Shelter Administrative Assistant (40 hr. training required*)
Special Projects/Events
Fundraising
Research/Data (training may be required)
Shelter garage and storage clean up and organization. (A group is usually required).
*Volunteers must be 40 hr. trained in order to do any work directly with clients or at the shelter. These trainings are offered about 3 times a year and we get about two spots for each, so we can process a max of 12 people a year at this time. The training is around 6 weeks, usually twice a week and NOT at our agency. The volunteer is responsible for paying the $65-75 fee for the training and also get fingerprinted at a cost of $10. These funds are not reimbursed.
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Domestic Violence - Information Distribution
The AACI domestic violence program is looking for volunteers spread information about the services that we provide. This is a flexible opportunity and can be done according to your schedule and availability.
Major Responsibilities:
- Distribute information leaflets in various languages to libraries, health centers, police stations, Asian supermarkets, etc.
- Research other outlets and methods for information dissemination
- Assist in office with design and production of informational leaflets
No minimum age requirement.
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Domestic Violence - Pro Bono Legal Services
The AACI domestic violence program is looking for attorneys able to donate legal services, specifically in the area of family law and help with restraining order hearings. Our clients are abuse victims with few law resources. Their abusive partners may have legal representation, may be more fluent in English and have lived in the US longer than their victims. As a result, the power and control dynamic and psychologically abusive behavior characteristic of domestic violence continues even after separation through the legal system.
The greatest need is for legal representation at the divorce and child custody hearings as well as restraining order hearings. Vietnamese and Mandarin-speaking attorneys are especially needed. At this time we do not need paralegal help; the sole need is for licensed attorneys.