Empower Your Community
HANA Center is looking to connect dedicated volunteers with opportunities to
build meaningful relationships, share knowledge, and give back to the community.
Whatever interests and talents you bring, we are excited for you to
join us in serving and making our community stronger together.
We welcome volunteers year-round for any given task
whether it is a one-time commitment or a long-term one.
How to Volunteer with HANA
STEP 1: Sign Up to Volunteer
STEP 2: Attend a Volunteer Orientation (invitation will be sent through email)
STEP 3: Submit Volunteer Agreement and Get Involved!
If you have any questions before signing up, please reach out to info@hanacenter.org
Volunteer Opportunities
English Language / Citizenship / Classroom Tutor (Virtual)
Tutor and form lasting relationships with adult learners on a 1:1 basis. HANA learners are immigrant community members with limited English proficiency looking to expand their skills in English or prepare for their U.S. citizenship interviews. Tutoring offers the chance to build relationships with our learners and HANA’s Community Education volunteer community. Free, virtual tutor training is available and is required for volunteers who do not have teaching certificates or degrees. Current TEFL and TESL students are exempt from tutor training requirements. (Note: To volunteer as a tutor, you must be able to provide an Illinois address.)
Ideal commitment: 1 day/week, 30-60 minutes
Bilingual Interpreter (In Person/Virtual)
Help interpret for HANA’s pro-bono legal clinic or assist staff with following up with community members to return calls and schedule service appointments. Spanish and Korean languages are needed most frequently, but HANA also maintains a list of interpreters for other languages as needed.
Ideal commitment: at least two hours a month during normal business hours, Monday - Friday
Job Readiness Assistant (In Person/Virtual)
Work with community members on their resumes, job applications, and interview techniques. Job readiness workshops are held throughout the year. Sessions are usually ten weeks long for two hours a week.
Ideal commitment: at least two sessions (4 hrs) in the ten weeks program
Pro-bono Attorney (Virtual)
Provide one-time legal consultations for low income families and immigrants on topics including immigration, family, housing, criminal, medical laws, and more. Legal Clinics are held twice monthly via Zoom: every first Thursday from 7:00-9:00 pm, and every third Thursday from 7:00-9:00 pm.
Ideal commitment: once or twice a month for up to four clients per legal clinic
Youth Tutor/Mentor (In Person)
Build relationships by coming alongside a group of immigrant youth to encourage, inspire, and support them to grow as leaders in their community. Assist with school work, job applications, college applications, and college scholarships.
Ideal commitment: 1 day/week, 30-60 minutes
Pungmul Instructor (In Person)
Teach Korean traditional drumming
Ideal commitment: alternating Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00 pm
Civic Engagement (In Person/Virtual)
Advocate for immigrants and refugees in your community by joining HANA’s civic engagement campaigns. Engage Asian Americans in Illinois through phone banking (weekdays 5:00-8:00 pm) and door knocking (weekends 1:00-4:00 pm).
Ideal commitment: 1 shift (3-hour) per week
Event Volunteer (In Person/Virtual)
Volunteer at HANA’s annual events, such as our health fair and job fair. You can also volunteer at organizing actions throughout the year, including voter registration, phone banking, and canvassing!
Ideal commitment: one time, 4-6 hours
Stay connected with HANA Center!
Join our list of supporters who understand and advocate for immigrant justice. Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter.
If you are ready to volunteer, you can sign up for email updates when you fill out a volunteer interest form.