Volunteer Information

Hope Community accomplishes vital ongoing projects through the generous support of volunteers from businesses, churches, student organizations and service groups. In 2006, volunteers participating in Hope Community activities and projects totaled over 300, generously giving 5,859 hours of their time with a monetary value of $100,725!

New opportunities added on October 11, 2007.

Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals or groups! Click here to apply online. Want more information or to request a hard copy of the volunteer application? Contact Luz Zagal at 612.435.1821 or by e-mail at lzagal@hope-community.org.

Individual Volunteer Positions

Some individual volunteers tutor adult immigrants in the areas of English speaking, literacy, and math. Others work with staff and community members assisting youth during homework or computer learning sessions, craft projects, special events, and just plain FUN.

Application, interview, and background check required. Volunteers are involved 1 day/week or more as negotiated. Bilingual speakers especially welcome.

Hope Learning Center Positions

English Language Learning (ELL) Tutors
In our Distance Learning program, tutors work one to one to support and motivate adult immigrants wishing to improve their English speaking and literacy skills. Tutors in this program are an essential resource to learners. ELL takes place on Saturdays from 9:00am-12:00 all year, and volunteers must commit at least one Saturday a month. ***12 hours of training provided by the Minnesota Literacy Council***

Math tutors: This program invites volunteers who are passionate about math to work one to one and in small groups tutoring adult students, helping them to identify their goals in learning math and to develop a plan to reach those goals. Material covered ranges from elementary to high school level. The program is open on Saturdays 10:00am-12:00, and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00-3:00pm. Schedule to be negotiated according to volunteer availability.

Photo by O'neil Nyemah

Classroom Assistant Volunteers Volunteers are needed to assist professional teachers in an adult classroom setting. Work with small groups of adult students. Student’s skill levels range from elementary to high school. Volunteers are needed fro week day shifts in the areas of math, reading and writing, and computer skills.

After-School or Weekend Youth Programs

	Conversation Circle Facilitator: Help to organize and encourage discussion among English language learners around common interests and issues in a small, friendly group. The group meets Saturdays, twice a month, from 11:30-12:30. Schedule to be negotiated according to volunteer availability.
	Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE): This program is a partnership between Hope Community and the Minneapolis Public School system. It advocates the parent as the child's first and most important teacher. ECFE is for parents and children between the ages of birth to five. Volunteers will assist the child and parent educator with storytime, music, and parent activities. (Class is held Saturday Morning 10:00 - Noon)
	Learning in Community: Work with a children’s literacy program in a supportive community environment, where children have fun learning one-to-one with adult volunteers. Activities include reading, writing, and storytelling through digital media. Volunteers play the important role of encouraging and supporting the children as they develop their skills. The group meets on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30, September 11 – December 11. Volunteers are asked to commit for the length of the fall series. * The first two program sessions provide 4-hours of training for volunteers. *
	Leadership Development: Challenges young people to be the best they can be by giving them resources to explore their own power. Their is a strong focus on power, civic engagement, and public achievement. Volunteers would assist the program facilitator(s) in a liberal amount of ways. (Class is held on Saturday mornings)
	Youth Tutor Program: Tutors in this program are matched with youth K-8th grade from the community, and work one to one in weekly sessions during the school year to provide additional academic and personal support and encouragement outside of the school setting. Schedule to be determined according to volunteer and youth availability. For more info, contact DHop at (612) 435-1673.
	Mentoring: Catches kids during the middle ages before they reach the teen years. It centers around self responsibility. Volunteers would assist the program facilitator in a liberal amount of ways. (Class is held on Saturday mornings)
	ABE Classroom Assistant: Assist professional teachers in an adult classroom setting in our Essential Skills classes. Focus is placed on advanced English language learning through reading, writing, and practical skill development. Volunteers are needed for weekday shifts. *12 Hours of training provided by the Minnesota Literacy Council*
	Youth Computer Lab: Designed for kids between the ages of 13 - 16. Instructors work with youth around technology such as web design, animation, photoshop and more. Volunteers will need to be computer literate and are expected to provide limited assistance to kids during the sessions. (Class begins in May. Dates TBA)
	Technical Support: Do you have experience working with computer networking, troubleshooting, or web design? Hope is looking for volunteers with advanced technological knowledge to help us stay current in our programs and our office. Schedule is negotiable according to volunteer availability.

Group Volunteer Opportunities

	Hope Community also welcomes volunteer groups! Year-around projects are available in the areas of gardening/grounds maintenance, building beautification, and clerical work. Special projects create additional opportunities.
	One special project in 2007 was Hope’s 30th Anniversary Block Party. Over 1,000 people joined us to celebrate the strengths of our community and the role Hope has been fortunate to play in its ongoing evolution. Nearly 100 volunteers helped make the celebration possible.