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Virtual
Every Friday night until June 6.
WNY
February 13
February 27
EH
February 11
February 25
UWS
February 12
February 26
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Positions available, Spanish proficiency not required. Volunteers engage adult English language learners in conversations.
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Administrative volunteers assist in different projects that may include creating/organizing files, managing verbal exams, etc. The admin team will work with you to find out what tasks best suit your abilities!
Flexible hours
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Teach English (ESL)
Teach English at one of our three in person sites; East Harlem, Upper West Side, or West New York NJ
7:00pm - 8:30pm one night a week (days vary according to location).
Join the Sub Squad
Help fill in when a teacher is unavailable.
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Teach English (ESL)
Virtually teach one night a week
7:00pm-8:30pm on Mondays or Wednesdays via Zoom.
Teach GED/TASC
Virtually teach one night a week in Spanish or English
7:00pm-8:30pm
Teach Computer Literacy
Virtually teach one night a week in Spanish or English
7:00pm-8:30pm
Join the Sub Squad
Help fill in when a teacher is unavailable.
To learn more watch our 5 minute long Volunteer Info Session.
Meet Andrés
Andrés Soto is a composer, pianist, arranger, and orchestrator originally from Costa Rica. He moved to New Jersey as a teen and attended Hofstra University and New York University. He now lives in Westwood, NJ and attends Hope Community Church, when he is not traveling the world for presentations of his music. (Check out some of his incredible work here!)
As an immigrant himself, Andrés finds teaching with The Open Door “a good way to help other fellow Hispanic immigrants...I was blessed with a strong education in English since 4th grade, so I wanted to somehow help those who didn't have the same opportunities I was granted.”
Andrés finds teaching inspiring: “Everybody wants to learn and the hour and a half that each lesson consists of goes by quickly,” he says. He is reminded that “all nations have been immigrants at some point or another in history, and immigrants often live difficult lives.” It’s been valuable for him to see The Open Door volunteers “providing little bit of help to our fellow sojourners.”
Meet Emily
Emily Litman is a middle school teacher for Jersey City public schools and works with the Port of Entry program for Spanish- speaking youth. She has been volunteering with Open Door from the first organizational meeting! Emily’s care for her students is evident. She shares,
“Being a part of the Open Door has helped me feel like I am contributing in a small way in making immigrants feel welcome in my community. I am inspired by their grit and determination to succeed. They come straight to class after work shifts that many people I know would not be able to handle. Yet their desire to learn pushes them in ways we could all learn from. I have learned more from my students than I think they have learned from me.”
Volunteering has also led to some neat global connections for Emily. “Last year, when visiting Havana, Cuba, the wife and son of one of our Open Door students invited me to their home - giving me the chance to spread the love of Open Door across borders. It was such a unique experience.” Whether at home or abroad, these global, cross-cultural connections bring communities together.
Meet Lindsey
Lindsey is an NYC School Teacher and has been volunteering with The Open Door for 2.5 years. She has found teaching life-giving. “I remember the first night I had to go to class, I thought - why did I sign up to do this? I'm so tired! But the students gave me so much life and energy in class - they were happy to be there and really warm. It's the best part of my whole week.”
The community atmosphere has been a highlight of teaching with The Open Door. Lindsey says, “There are so many nights where I find myself cracking up! We had a game night last year and this year - that's always really fun. We played charades and one on the students keep forgetting and saying the word out loud!”
Lindsey notes that it's a privilege to get to live that out the conviction to support the immigrant community each week by serving with the Open Door, deepening understanding of the immigrant experience in NYC.
Meet Lori
Lori Lawrence lives in Hoboken, NJ. She is a Physical Therapist and a member at Redeemer Hoboken. Lori has been volunteering with The Open Door since the very beginning, and we are so grateful for the dedication she brings. Lori says,
“My Christian faith urges me to love my neighbor and practice hospitality. I am pleased to be associated with and learn from people who have the wisdom, love and experience to make these good intentions a reality.”
Teaching is one way Lori extends hospitality to the community. She shares,
“My favorite thing is getting to know a group of new neighbors each year. I am always impressed with their dedication to learning and really becoming a part of their new home. It's always fun to see community develop within the class. The students are very kind, generous and encouraging of one another. Having been around for several years it is also great to see former students persevering and making progress year after year.”