Volunteer at BIC

Our volunteers at the Berkshire Immigrant Center play a vital role, serving as connectors and bringing compassion to help the communities we serve.

Whether you're supporting language development, representing us at events, assisting at the front desk, working on special projects, or facilitating communication through interpretation or translation, your commitment plays a crucial role in supporting our mission.

Learn about the volunteer opportunities listed below and complete an interest form today!

 

Volunteer Opportunities

ESOL Conversing

To pass the US Citizenship test and interview, applicants must show that they are able to speak, read, and write basic English. In addition to enrolling in BIC's citizenship classes, it is important for our clients to engage with volunteers facilitating conversational English practice to support their language development outside regular classes.

    • Assist learners in articulating responses effectively for interview and communication portions of the test

    • Actively listen to learners to facilitate absorption of vocabulary and sentence structures

    • Provide gentle correction and constructive feedback for language refinement

    • Collaborate with the BIC Education Director to understand specific focus areas that may be beneficial for the learners

    • Report progress made by learners to the BIC Education Director

    • Previous experience in teaching, tutoring, or facilitating language learning sessions, particularly in an ESOL context, is preferred

    • Patience for working with learners at various language proficiency levels

    • Empathy to create a supportive and encouraging environment for language practice

    • Ability to connect with individuals from different backgrounds respectfully

    • 3-4 times per month

    • Flexible hours

Event Assistance

BIC participates in and organizes various events, ranging from cultural celebrations to clinics, to share information about our organization's services and provide valuable information to immigrants.

    • Set up and dismantle table, chairs, and canopy

    • Engage with event attendees to disseminate information and answer questions about our organization's mission, services, and upcoming events

    • Maintain a well-organized and visually appealing display of promotional materials and resources

    • Collect contact information from individuals requesting our services, donors or prospective volunteers

    • Provide feedback and insights from interactions at events to the BIC Intake Coordinator

    • Strong interpersonal skills

    • Ability to connect with individuals from different backgrounds respectfully

    • Dedication to providing a positive and welcoming experience for event attendees

    • Ability to work outside (occasionally) for prolonged periods of time

    • Fluency in another language a plus

    • 5-10 times per year, with more frequency during the Summer and Fall

    • Typically weekends with occasional weekdays

    • Approximately 2-hour shifts

Front Desk Assistance

At BIC, our Intake Coordinator is key in welcoming, informing, and empowering individuals every day. When they take paid time off, our volunteers step in to ensure we continue to operate smoothly. Your support helps us maintain our standards of service and keeps things running as usual. Front desk assistants will be provided training before officially becoming a volunteer in this capacity.

    • Greet clients warmly and answer phone calls, and respond to email inquiries, providing information about BIC’s services and local resources

    • Call and email clients to confirm consultations or appointments

    • Collect client information and process payments

    • Bilingual or fluent in English and Spanish

    • Comfort with using technology

    • Comfort with working with Microsoft Office and Google Suite

    • Ability to manage confidential information with impeccable discretion

    • Ability to sit at a desk for prolonged periods of time

    • Based on need

    • Monday-Friday, between 9am-3pm (flexible scheduling available)

Interpretation

Interpretation services play a crucial role in our operations for BIC Case Workers during appointments, presentations, workshops, and clinics. Volunteers contribute significantly to these efforts, offering their assistance in facilitating effective communication. Prospective interpreters are required to undergo an assessment process and training before officially becoming a volunteer in this capacity.

    • Provide interpretation services during appointments, presentations, workshops, and clinics

    • Tailor language (rephrase, explain, self-correct etc.) to different audiences in an accurate fashion

    • Demonstrated fluency in both languages

    • Familiarity with legal vocabulary

    • Ability to manage confidential information with impeccable discretion

    • Ability to receive and apply instruction and feedback to improve future experiences

    • Comfort with using technology (for online appointments) a plus

    • 1-2 times per month

    • Monday-Friday, between 9am-5pm

    • Sessions last approximately 1 hour

Special Projects

Our small team occasionally needs support with remote, short-term administrative projects that enhance our services and operations. These projects typically focus on research, information gathering, and resource development to ensure the smooth execution of our work.

    • Gather and analyze data

    • Collect and organize information to support various services

    • Create and update materials to assist with outreach efforts and other organizational needs

    • Comfort with using technology

    • Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google Suite

    • Skill in organizing and summarizing information effectively

    • Ability to work collaboratively and independently

    • Past administrative experience a plus

    • Based on need

    • Flexible hours

Translation

BIC handles a wide array of translation requests from clients and individuals, encompassing vital documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and documents required by the RMV to obtain a drivers license. In addition to individual requests, volunteer support extends to fulfilling internal translation requests from BIC and external requests from local agencies and businesses. Prospective translators are required to undergo an assessment process and training before officially becoming a volunteer in this capacity.

    • Translate and/or review documents from the target language into English, adhering to instructions outlined by BIC

    • Regularly update the status of translation projects

    • Demonstrated fluency in both languages

    • Comfort with using technology

    • Comfort with working with Microsoft Office and Google Suite

    • Ability to manage confidential information with impeccable discretion

    • Ability to work collaboratively and independently

    • Familiarity with legal vocabulary is a plus

    • 4-6 times per month for Spanish; 1-2 times per month for other languages

    • Flexible hours, taking into consideration deadlines

For more information, please contact us at volunteer@berkshireic.org.

Interested in becoming Board Member? Visit our Board of Directors page to learn more.

For information about employment opportunities, visit our Employment page.