The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights

Alli Gattari

2245 S. Michigan Ave., Ste. 301

Chicago, Illinois 60601

(773) 571-4781

agattari@theyoungcenter.org

Organization Mission:

The mission of the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights is to promote the best interests of unaccompanied and separated immigrant children. The Young Center serves as a trusted ally for children by accompanying them through government custody and court proceedings, advocating for their best interests, and standing for the creation of a dedicated juvenile immigrant justice system that ensures their safety and well-being. Every young immigrant deserves to be safe, and the Young Center advocates that children’s needs are put foremost, and their best interests take priority.

Description of Volunteer Opportunities:

A Volunteer Child Advocate is an adult who volunteers to spend time with an individual unaccompanied immigrant child and, in collaboration with Young Center staff, advocate on their behalf while they are in the custody of the federal government and subject to immigration proceedings.

The Young Center welcomes all qualified volunteers without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, marital or parental status, pregnancy, citizenship, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, genetic information, or veterans’ status. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the volunteer application process. Please advise in writing of accommodations at the time of application. Advocates must be at least 21 years old.

We have a particular need for bilingual volunteers who speak Spanish and indigenous languages of Guatemala, as well as Pashto, Dari/Farsi, French, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Urdu, Hindi.

Volunteer Child Advocate responsibilities include the following:

• Visit with the child each week and advocate for their best interests in collaboration with Young Center staff.
• Help the child think through options and decisions.
• Maintain regular communication with the Young Center staff.
• Continue ongoing communication with the child upon their release from government facility.

Minimum Age Requirement:

Skills or Experience Necessary:

Bilingual, trauma-informed, dedicated, patient, thoughtful, and consistent.