We rely on the generous support of our volunteers to keep our programs going and to reach more people.

We have opportunities for a variety of skill sets, interests, and availability, and we welcome high school students, university students, law students, community members, and attorneys.

GENERAL VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
ATTORNEY, LAW GRADUATE, & LAW STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
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Possibilities include, but are definitely not limited to:

  • Doing intakes and filling out paperwork for clients
  • Translating documents
  • Helping with answering phones and running errands
  • Working on fundraising and event planning
  • Helping with our outreach or social-media teams
  • Writing articles for our eNewsletter or other media
  • Serving as a translator during an asylum interview
  • Teaching English as a Second Language
  • Teaching basic United States Civics to immigrants who are preparing to naturalize as United States citizens
  • Working on our Amplifying Sanctuary Voices oral history project

Spanish is helpful, particularly if you would like to work with clients, but is not required. We have plenty of tasks and projects that do not require a second language. If you do speak Spanish or another language fluently, we are always looking for people to serve as interpreters and translators.

Questions? Contact us at volunteer@eastbaysanctuary.org.

Attorney, Law Graduate, and Law Student VOLUNTEERS

Whether you are looking for experience in affirmative asylum or wishing to reconnect with the refugee community, EBSC has a plethora of pro bono cases that need your help.

Volunteer attorneys prepare a declaration with clients and represent clients in their affirmative-asylum interviews. If you do not have time to write a declaration with a client, we have many clients who have complete declarations and need representation before the Asylum Officer.

EBSC fills out form I-589 with clients and prepares the relevant country-condition documents. We support and listen to the client, and guide them at every step of the process, as needed. 

Volunteer possibilities for attorneys, law graduates, and law students include:

  • Representing clients at their asylum interviews before USCIS
  • Working with clients on drafting their asylum declarations and filling out their forms
  • Gathering supporting documents 
  • Researching country-conditions evidence and doing legal analysis 
  • Helping with other types of affirmative immigration applications (U visas, residency, citizenship, DACA, TPS)
  • Working with unaccompanied minors (asylum and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status)
  • Assisting with EBSC’s immigration court docket

For more information please email kaveena@eastbaysanctuary.org

EBSC LEGAL VOLUNTEER APPLICATION