HIAS NY Legal and Asylum

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the HIAS NY Legal and Asylum Volunteer Program! This page is intended for those living in the NYC metro area. If you are outside of the area, please click here to be connected to local volunteer opportunities.

We are currently only onboarding direct service volunteers who are fluent in Spanish, French, Russian, Ukranian, Dari, Pashto, or Amharic. If this applies to you, or if you are fluent in another language, please email nycvolunteer@hias.org

We regularly announce volunteer opportunities via our monthly newsletter, including dates for general volunteer onboarding and volunteer activities without a language requirement. Please create your basic profile on Better Impact in order to stay up to date with opportunities to volunteer with HIAS in the greater NYC area. You can find more information about available volunteer roles below.

Volunteer opportunities for individuals in New York include:

Long term volunteer roles

• Mentors work one-on-one with HIAS clients, acting as a cultural liaison and providing varied types of support as asylum seekers learn how to navigate healthcare, education, and public transportation systems.
• English Language Partners help clients build both basic and conversational English skills that allow them to communicate more fluently with their neighbors, employers, and service providers.

Short term volunteer roles

• Special Project Volunteers work on goal-oriented, shorter-term projects. Each project is unique – volunteers may help a client apply for a replacement social security card, review a resume, submit job applications, or navigate a specific affordable housing challenge. Projects vary in length from a few days to several weeks.

Other volunteer roles

• Volunteer Interpreters and Translators are regularly needed to assist with remote interpretation and translation needs that support our asylum-seeking clients’ legal case and social integration.
• Social Service Volunteers work with our social service department to create, update, and expand our resource guides for clients. Guides help clients easily access resources in NY, such as housing, financial, medical, and job placement assistance across multiple counties.
• Accompaniment Volunteers provide or assist with transportation for appointments related to HIAS clients' legal cases.

For group volunteering inquiries, questions, or accommodations, please contact us at NYCvolunteer@hias.org.

Thanks again for your interest. We look forward to connecting with you!