Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Partner with people in your community who are learning English, computer skills, preparing for citizenship or the GED. Meet new people and work with them to build literacy skills and achieve their goals through distance education.
Join us!
- No experience or diploma needed - we’ll provide all necessary training.
- English speakers of all levels are welcome and encouraged to volunteer.
- Ability to commit to 2-3 hours per week for at least 3 months required.
- We strongly encourage volunteers who are people of color, indigenous, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQIA2S+ and people with disabilities.
We strive to make our volunteering opportunities accessible to the largest number of people possible. If you have accessibility requirements that you aren't sure could be accommodated in an assignment in which you are interested, please contact us, so we can work together to accommodate you in this or another assignment.
Volunteer Learning Coach
Are you interested in leading small groups of ELL learners? Would you like to support adult immigrants and refugees who are improving their ability to speak, listen, read, and write English? Do you enjoy working with people of diverse ethnicities and backgrounds? Then this might be the perfect opportunity for you!
Duties:
- Work under the direction and support of a staff teacher to support a group of adult English learners from diverse backgrounds.
- Work independently with small groups of learners (up to 9 students) on activities and curriculum provided by the teacher.
- Collaborate with the learners, teachers and other volunteers to create a learning community to meet the needs and goals of learners.
- Comfortable working semi-independently with groups of up to 9 students, with support and direction from a staff teacher.
- Teaching experience helpful but not required.
- Commit to at least one 2+ hour shift a week for at least 3 months.
- Within 6 months of placement, volunteers must complete a 12-hour LitMN-sponsored, and State of MN compliant Foundations Training to be fully prepared to teach.
For more information or to get started, please email meichinger@literacymn.org.
ELL classroom assistant
Are you a looking for a way to connect with your community? Do you want to support with adult immigrants and refugees as they improve their ability to speak, listen, read, and write English? Then this might be the perfect opportunity for you! Literacy Minnesota is looking for volunteers interested in partnering with our Open Door Learning Centers as a classroom assistant.
- Volunteers are paired with a teacher who follows a curriculum and leads the class.
- Provide individualized attention to students during class time and help with large and small group activities.
- Work cooperatively with coordinators and other volunteers to meet the needs of the learners.
- Listen actively and encourage learner participation.
- Within 6 months of placement, volunteers must complete a 4-hour LitMN-sponsored, and State of MN compliant Foundations Training to be fully prepared to assist.
Schedule: Classes run for 1.5 - 2.5 hours a session from Monday-Thursday depending on the site (10am-12pm, 9:30am-12:00pm, 12:00-1:30pm or 6-8pm). Choose one shift per week.
For more information or to get started, please email our volunteer coordinator at meichinger@literacymn.org!
Citizenship tutor or assistant
Are you interested in working with an immigrant or refugee as they become an American citizen? Then this might be the perfect opportunity for you! Literacy Minnesota is looking for volunteers interested in partnering with our Open Door Learning Centers and working with an individual adult immigrant or refugee or a small group studying to pass the citizenship (naturalization) test.
- Citizenship one-to-one tutor: Tutor a learner for the citizenship (naturalization) test one day each week for 60-90 minutes. **Remote as well as in-person opportunities may exist.
- Citizenship classroom assistant: In partnership with a volunteer or staff teacher, assist in a classroom of up to 10 learners.
Duties:
- Tutor or assist learners in U.S. history and civics topics.
- Tutor or assist learners in preparing for the naturalization interview and test.
- Prepare for sessions or classes ahead of time by reviewing materials provided by Literacy MN, and making copies of materials as needed.
- Within 6 months of placement, volunteers must complete a 4-hour LitMN-sponsored, and State of MN compliant Foundations Training to be fully prepared to assist.
For more information or to get started, please email our volunteer coordinator at meichinger@literacymn.org!
Technology coach
Are you interested in working with adult learners who are developing and improving their computer skills in a lab setting? Would you like to help support learners as they explore distance learning platforms? Then this might be the perfect opportunity for you
Duties:
- Provide support in a computer lab setting as participants utilize online English learning platforms, such as MobyMax, Typing.com, and others.
- Assist learners in troubleshooting rudimentary technical issues as they arise.
- Help learners work with math, English, reading, typing, etc.
- Training will be conducted on site with Learning Center staff.
- Within 6 months of placement, volunteers must complete a 4-hour LitMN-sponsored, and State of MN compliant Foundations Training to be fully prepared to assist.
- Comfort using basic technology and the internet is helpful.
- Bilingual applicants are welcome!
For more information or to get started, please email our volunteer coordinator at meichinger@literacymn.org!
Pre-GED reading, writing and/or math skills mentor
Are you interested in working with someone in your community as they work toward their GED? Are you interested in tutoring in math, science, reading and writing? Then this opportunity might be perfect for you! Literacy Minnesota is looking for volunteers interested in partnering with our Open Door Learning Centers and working with an individual or small group studying toward their GED.
Duties:
- Facilitate a study lab with adult learners and develop positive relationships to increase learner persistence.
- Support Skill Practice Lab and Work one on one with learners as they complete reading, writing and math tasks.
- Document attendance and progress; communicate with Program Coordinator & Instructor
- Work with learners to overcome barriers (share resources & follow up, set goals and support time management)
- Within 6 months of placement, volunteers must complete a 4-hour LitMN-sponsored, and State of MN compliant Foundations Training to be fully prepared to assist.
For more information or to get started, please email our volunteer coordinator at meichinger@literacymn.org!
One-on-one Basic Computer Skills Tutor
Are you interested in working with adult learners who are developing and improving their computer skills? Do you feel comfortable with the Windows platform? Then this might be the perfect opportunity for you! Literacy Minnesota is looking for volunteers interested in partnering with our Open Door Learning Center and providing computer and digital literacy skills to individual learners.
Duties:
- Support adult learners one-on-one utilizing Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment with some Typing.com.
- Set up and proctor Northstar assessments to see which skills learners have and which skills they can improve.
- Show students how to use the Northstar Online Learning Portal so they can do self-study outside of tutoring or class.
- Use the 1:1 Tutoring Template to guide learners through the External Resources, a curated collection of readings, videos and activities that they study during tutoring or solo.
- Commit to at least one 2+ hour shift a week for at least 3 months.
- Within 6 months of placement, volunteers must complete a 12-hour LitMN-sponsored, and State of MN compliant Foundations Training to be fully prepared to teach.
- For more information or to get started, please email meichinger@literacymn.org.