SCOPE OF VOLUNTEER WORK: Entrepreneurial Refugee and New Americans are driven and inspired to start or expand their small businesses in the United States, but often are confronted with barriers. Learning a new language, a new way of life, while also following a new set of rules and laws, particularly around business, can be overwhelming. The Microbusiness Connection Center connects refugee and New American entrepreneurs to volunteers to act as mentors in addressing common obstacles that these entrepreneurs may face progressing their business and contributing to their overall self-sufficiency.

COMMITMENT: flexible, part-time service for at least 10 weeks.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Mentor refugees and New Americans striving to become entrepreneurs in our community.
  • Meet program participants at the Microbusiness Connect Center (MCC) or in the community.
  • Utilize a toolkit provided by the program and your own expertise to engage the entrepreneur in their learning process.
  • Assist entrepreneurs to prepare goverment forms for proper licensing, including DBA forms and food handlers licenses.
  • Assist entrepreneurs as they navigate online applications.
  • Research additional opportunities for entrepreneurs as well as understanding the process for each entrepreneur to complete.
  • Be patient and support the entrepreneur's self-sufficiency and learning above all else. 

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Primary volunteer must be 18-years of age.
  • Professional expertise or specific college experience.
  • Experience working in culturally sensitive environments, with diverse backgrounds and/or vulnerable populations preferred.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with people of different linguistic backgrounds.
  • Manage time effectively and remains organized.
  • Patient, flexible, and independent.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English, bilingual ability preferred in any refugee language.
  • Professional, friendly, and courteous attitude is a must.
  • Access to reliable transportation; access to reliable personal vehicle preferred but not required.
  • Able to use and cover personal cost of public transportation (refugee families will have bus passes).
  • Able to pass a background check, which includes evaluation of driving history.
  • Submit volunteer hours on a monthly basis.
  • Donation of $45 to cover the cost of the background check

NEXT STEPS:

  1. We ask all new volunteers to attend an info session within 30 days of starting as a volunteer with us, ideally before. You can view info session dates on our website here: http://signup.com/go/zWyQod 
  2. Attend required training. Email us at [email protected] with "MCC Volunteer" in the subject line to learn more about upcoming training. 
  3. Complete and clear an online background check, for which we ask for a $45 donation to cover the cost. Details about this will be sent out to those who attend training.

Questions? Email us at [email protected].