Help Asylum Seekers Thrive - Volunteer with AsylumWorks!

AsylumWorks partners with immigrants, their families, and the broader community to create pathways to safety, stability, and opportunity. AsylumWorks envisions a world where all people, regardless of origin, language, or background, can fully contribute to the communities where they live, work, and thrive.

AsylumWorks Services

AsylumWorks has developed an integrated service model grounded in three core programs for clients:

• Health & Wellness: Empowers individuals and families to access the critical services and supports they need to protect and promote their health, safety, and well-being.
• Employment & Education: Provides personalized job coaching to help job seekers prepare for, find, and maintain living-wage employment, regardless of language or education.

Legal Navigation: Educates newcomers about their rights and responsibilities to help them successfully navigate the U.S. immigration system.

Volunteer Roles Needed:

Become part of the AsylumWorks mission by supporting asylum seekers, refugees, and other newcomers as they rebuild their lives in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia area. Volunteers play a vital role in fostering connection, offering guidance, and helping clients navigate everyday challenges with dignity, compassion, and community support. Whether you are interested in mentorship, interpretation, transportation assistance, or community-building, there are a variety of meaningful ways to get involved. Training and ongoing support are provided for all volunteers.

Current volunteer opportunities include:

• English Conversation Partners – Meet virtually with clients to help them practice conversational English in a friendly, informal setting.
• Employment & Education Support Volunteers – Assist clients with resumes, job applications, interview preparation, networking, career coaching, and education or certification pathways.
• Volunteer Interpreters – Provide interpretation support during client and volunteer meetings in languages such as Dari, Pashto, Spanish, French, Amharic, Haitian Creole, and more.
• Accompaniment Volunteers – Support clients by providing transportation and accompaniment to immigration court dates, appointments, meetings, and events throughout the DMV area.
• Special Event Support Volunteers – Help staff community events, workshops, and celebrations through setup, guest support, food service, childcare assistance, and more.
• Good Neighbor Network Volunteers – Build authentic community connections with newcomers by offering practical support such as helping clients navigate public transportation, attending community activities together, running errands, or simply checking in regularly.

AsylumWorks especially welcomes bilingual volunteers and individuals with experience in mentorship, education, IT, coaching, or community support. Flexible opportunities are available for a variety of schedules and interests.