ENL (English as a New Language) Tutor:

ENL Tutors are matched with individuals or groups of refugees and other humanitarian migrants with varying levels of English proficiency. Students may have little to no English skills or may have greater conversational abilities. Through weekly sessions focusing on each client’s specific and unique goals, ENL Tutors help refugees communicate with their neighbors, employers, and service providers. As an ENL Tutor, you will create your own engaging lesson plans or use our tutoring materials to promote learning and cultural sharing. ENL Tutors must have prior experience teaching English to non-native English speakers.

• Format: Volunteers meet virtually with students one-on-one or in groups of up to 6 students.
• Time Commitment: Two hours per week for 3 months, with the possibility for extension.
• Role Requirements: ENL Tutors must have at least 1-2 years of professional experience teaching English to non-native speakers and/or be TESOL certified (or equivalent).

Career Mentor

Career Mentors help refugees and humanitarian migrants navigate employment in the United States. Finding a job is a crucial first step for our clients, leading to financial independence and future careers. In collaboration with Commonpoint Economic Inclusion staff, Career Mentors assist mentees based on their specific needs and timelines. Activities include reviewing or creating resumes, preparing cover letters, conducting mock interviews, and guiding clients in effectively using sites like Indeed, Idealist, and LinkedIn to network and find job opportunities. Professionals from diverse backgrounds are essential to guide refugees in finding entry-level jobs, re-entering former professions, and upgrading current employment.

• Format: Career Mentors meet virtually with mentees one-on-one.
• Time Commitment: Two hours per week for 3 months, with the possibility for extension.
• Role Requirements: There are no special skills required to be a Career Mentor. Volunteers will be matched with clients based on their specific experience, language abilities, and the client’s goals.

Conversation Partners 
Conversation Partners work one-on-one with mentees to practice speaking English through informal conversations over virtual platforms. This may involve focused conversations for specific job fields or interviews, or general conversation skills based on the mentee’s preferences, all with the ultimate goal of reducing language barriers and anxieties that newly arrived refugees face in New York City.

• Format: Conversation Partners meet virtually with mentees one-on-one 
• Time Commitment: Two hours per week for 3 months with the possibility for extension.
• Role Requirements: There are no special skills required to be a Conversation Partner. Volunteers will be matched with clients based on their specific experience and the client’s goals.

Want to volunteer with refugees? Click here to get started or email us at resettlement_volunteers@commonpoint.org to learn more!

Volunteer Interpreters and Translators

Volunteer Interpreters and Translators assist with interpretation and translation needs of refugees and other humanitarian migrants on an as-needed basis. Under the direction of Commonpoint staff, the primary responsibility of the interpreter/translator volunteer is to facilitate accurate, culturally competent, and sensitive communication between non-English speaking clients and Commonpoint staff.

• Format: Interpreters and Translators support either in-person or virtually depending on the situation and their availability.  
• Time Commitment: As-needed and based on volunteer availability, with varying durations.
• Role Requirements: Volunteers must be fluent in both English and an additional language spoken by Commonpoint clients: Haitian Creole, French, Ukrainian, Russian, Dari, Pashto, Burmese, Arabic, and Spanish.

Accompaniment Volunteers

Accompaniment volunteers play a crucial role in helping clients navigate public transportation in their new city by escorting clients to important appointments, while actively assisting them in learning how to navigate the city and use public transit as they travel.

• Format: In-person (on foot or via public transit)
• Time Commitment: As-needed based on volunteer availability, with varying durations 
• Role Requirements: Volunteers must have working knowledge of the New York City public transit system.

Want to volunteer with refugees? Click here to get started or email us at resettlement_volunteers@commonpoint.org to learn more!

The Host Organization Model of Engagement (HOME) Program 

An opportunity to welcome refugees into your community and play a hands-on role in their resettlement!

THE HOME PROGRAM

The HOME Program is a collaborative, community-based approach to resettlement that enables local community groups, known as “host organizations,” to partner with Commonpoint in extending a warm welcome to refugees arriving in New York. Guided and supported by Commonpoint’s expert resettlement staff, host organizations provide personalized and sustained support to help newcomers achieve self-sufficiency and integrate into their communities. Commonpoint collaborates with host organizations across New York City, Westchester, and Long Island. Working together, we build a strong support network, ensuring a smooth transition for refugees to thrive in their new community.

WHO ARE HOST ORGANIZATIONS?

Host organizations are local volunteer groups—such as faith-based congregations, interfaith coalitions, and community organizations—dedicated to supporting refugees as they rebuild their lives in New York. In partnership with Commonpoint, these groups provide essential financial, material, and volunteer support, helping refugees find safety, welcome, and opportunity while empowering them to become agents of change in their new communities.

HOST ORGANIZATIONS COMMITMENT

• Form a team of 8 or more volunteers 
• Commit to providing 6-12 months of support
• Raise $15K minimum (to be spent on support activities listed in next section)
• Secure housing and cosign on a lease (if needed)

HOST ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

• Airport Pickup
• Housing (securing and furnishing)
• Basic Needs Support (food, clothing, hygiene products, etc.) 
• Employment Support
• Education Support
• Community Orientation
• Transportation Support

Want to learn more about the HOME Program? Email us at resettlement_volunteers@commonpoint.org to schedule an information session.

Commonpoint R&I supports families forced to flee dire situations in their home countries. After overcoming immense challenges, many refugees arrive in New York without essential items needed for daily life. Your donation makes a direct impact, providing newly arrived refugee families with the critical resources they need to build safe, stable, and welcoming homes. Scroll down to browse our Amazon wishlists and discover our most urgently needed items.

Welcome Home Sets include crucial items to create a safe, comfortable, and nurturing home environment. Each Welcome Home Set contains everything from kitchen supplies to bedroom essentials.

Host organizations are local volunteer groups—such as faith-based congregations, interfaith coalitions, and community organizations—dedicated to supporting refugees as they rebuild their lives in New York. In partnership with Commonpoint, these groups provide essential financial, material, and volunteer support, helping refugees find safety, welcome, and opportunity while empowering them to become agents of change in their new communities.

Dry Diapers, Happy Babies: Caring for an infant can be especially challenging for refugee families adjusting to life in New York City. Your contribution to our ‘Dry Diapers, Happy Babies’ wishlist provides essential diapers and baby care items, allowing parents to focus on building a stable future for their family. Donate now to keep little ones dry, healthy, and happy!

Nourish New Arrivals: Visa Gift Cards for Refugees: Before obtaining employment, refugees rely on SNAP (Food Stamps) to cover grocery costs during their initial weeks and months in the U.S. Unfortunately, they typically wait for as long as 45 days for these benefits to be approved. Gift cards help newly arrived families cover grocery costs and bridge this gap.

Other Ways to Donate:

Donate Household Items: Have gently used furniture, clothing, or household goods? Your items can directly support a refugee family in need. Contact resettlement_volunteers@commonpoint.org

Organize a Donation Drive: Mobilize your community, workplace, or faith-based group to collect vital supplies for refugee families. We’ll provide you with guidance and support every step of the way. Contact resettlement_volunteers@commonpoint.org to get started.

Thank you for standing with refugees and supporting the crucial work we do at Commonpoint. Your generosity and compassion transform lives, giving refugee families the opportunity to thrive.