Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington Headquarters

This application is for anybody who is interested in an ongoing volunteer role with one of our programs. Typically, people commit to serving ~4 hours a week for 6 months to a year. You then would have the option to sign up for another year or to take a step back. These roles require screening and your attendance at an orientation.

If you are not interested in serving on a weekly basis (or want to get started right away), please feel free to check out our Volunteer Calendar to see individual opportunities where you can simply "sign up and show up" right away!

Or, if you spoke to someone who works at Catholic Charities about volunteering for a specific program or doing a specific internship but don't see that option in the list, complete this application.  There is a place in the application where you can tell us who you talked to and what you hope to do.

Either way, if you complete this application, we will give you a call to talk through the roles that are available!

Community & Employment Outreach Volunteer 

This volunteer in this position works with our employment program to help find jobs that are available to people who recently immigrated to the US. Obtaining reliable and consistent employment can change the trajectory of a family's life. By reaching out to businesses to encourage them to collaborate with us on hiring our program graduates, this volunteer provides connections that can help build the lives of future generations.   

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with the staff of the SCC to plan outreach
• Call businesses to identify potential job openings

Qualifications: 

• Minimum age of 18 

• Access to a Laptop Computer
• Spanish speaker preferred

Desired Skills, Experience & Characteristics: 

• Good verbal skills 

• Willpower to keep going when it’s tough 

• Resilience, Focus, and Friendliness 

• Workable computer skills 

Time Commitment: 

• Volunteers must commit to 4-6 hours per week for either 6-months or 1-year  

Location: 

• Spanish Catholic Center (DC)  1618 Monroe St NW  

• The closest Metro stop is Columbia Heights Metro station with a 13 m13-minutek 
• Once exiting the Columbia heights metro station, go north on 14^th street for 3 blocks, then take a left and walk on Monroe Street, once you pass the intersection, our building will be on the left. 

Next Steps:  

• Complete the application at the green button to the right  

• Have a brief, informal Get to Know You conversation with Catholic Charities Volunteer Office staff member
• Talk with the staff liaison for this role to match mutual expectations 

• Complete the required screening, e.g., criminal history check (not disqualifying) 

• Attend volunteer orientation 

• Schedule your service 

Instructor of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Have you always wanted to teach? Do you have a passion for helping others succeed? Become an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Instructor and help to open opportunities and increase the confidence of adult non-English speakers.  No prior teaching experience necessary!  

Catholic Charities Immigrant Support Services system of integrated services uses a holistic approach to address our clients’ needs by providing wrap around social services, employment supportive services, and education and training programs in the communities of DC and Gaithersburg. As an ESOL Instructor, you will teach beginner to intermediate level English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses for adults based on Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) standards. Catholic Charities will provide you with training on how to deliver ESOL lessons and keep a record of student attendance.     

We are looking for both in person and virtual teachers to start in September. As a volunteer, you will teach 2 to 4 days a week depending on your availability and in-person or virtually over Zoom. See the full list of skills, requirements, and characteristics below to get started and apply today!  

The ESOL Instructor Volunteers will be responsible for:   

• Teaching an existing curriculum on day-to-day English  
• Preparing to deliver lessons from Step-Forward series  
• Attending trainings 
• Keeping records of student attendance  

Desired Skills, Experience & Characteristics:   

• Willingness to learn how to deliver lessons  
• Able to connect with learners  
• Basic understanding of Microsoft Office Suite and internet skills (e.g. Google, Zoom)  

Qualifications:  

• Willingness to work with the immigrant community  
• fluent in English   
• Willing to volunteer in person at a location in Montgomery County, MD  

Volunteer Benefits:   

• Improved communication skills and teaching abilities  
• An opportunity to meet people from all walks of life  

Support:  

• Participate in Catholic Charities Volunteer Orientation  
• Receive program-specific training at the SCC Gaithersburg office 
• Receive training, supervision and support throughout the duration of session 
• Have staff supervision onsite (for in person teachers) or virtually (for virtual teachers)  

Time Commitment: 

• Volunteers commit to teach classes 2 or 4 days a week for 12 weeks.

• 12-week sessions are conducted:
  • January - March
  • April - June
  • July (5-week mini-session)
  • September - December
•  Volunteer training in ESOL instruction occurs in 2-hour sessions (6:30PM-8:30PM) for 2-days scheduled the week before the sessions begin.

Location & Schedule:

• virtually, Mondays - Thursdays, 6:30PM-8:30PM
• in-person, Mondays - Thursdays, 6:30PM-8:30PM @ St. Catherine Laboure Parish in Wheaton
• in-person, Saturdays, 9:30AM-12:30PM @ St Martin of Tours Parish in Gaithersburg
• in-person, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30PM-8:30PM @ Gaithersburg Library
• Parking is available in front of the facilities

Next Steps:  

• Complete the application at the green button to the right  

• Talk with Catholic Charities staff member about the role to match expectations 

• Complete the required screening: criminal history check (not disqualifying) 

• Attend orientation 
• Attend ESOL Instructor Training

• Schedule your service