Volunteering

It truly takes a village to accomplish everything we set out to do for our students.

We rely on our volunteers in the classroom, on committees, for our events, and in our office. They contribute their unique backgrounds, talents, and skills to help Welcoming the Stranger achieve its mission. If any of the opportunities described below sound like they could be right for you, please complete and submit the Volunteer Interest Form.

You will be contacted by a member of our staff to schedule a brief information-sharing phone interview. Note that teaching positions are subject to need, which can change between each 12-week semester and, at times, during the course of a semester.

Please contact us at info@welcomingthestranger.org if you have questions or would like additional information.

Volunteer Interest Form

FaceBook for Volunteers

What is Welcoming the Stranger?

Welcoming the Stranger is a non-profit educational organization that offers free classes in English as a Second Language (ESL), computer skills, and United States citizenship exam preparation to adult immigrants and refugees. Founded in 1999, Welcoming the Stranger has taught more than 6,000 students from 115 different countries. Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are currently offered virtually and in person in locations in Bucks and Montgomery County, PA, and Hunterdon County, NJ.

Our name is derived from the biblical passage from Matthew 25:35 "I was a stranger and you welcomed me," and the mission of the program is to welcome immigrants and refugees through the teaching of skills in order to assist in their transition to life in the U.S. While Welcoming the Stranger was originally born as a ministry of the Lower Bucks Center for Church and Community, people of all faiths or no faith are welcome. The only requirement is that students, teachers, and volunteers come with openness to others, respect, and a desire to learn. All programs are free for students.

Welcoming the Stranger is a fully independent, IRS-approved, 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. Financial support comes from individuals, places of worship, and civic groups, as well as grants from area foundations, who share the vision of Welcoming the Stranger and have concern for the stranger in a strange land.

Volunteering to Teach

Vol to Teach

We offer both online and in-person classes in English, citizenship, and computer skills.

In general, our online classes are taught by one volunteer teacher, meet once a week, and range in size from one to ten students.

At each in-person class site, there is a lead teacher and multiple assistant teachers. These classes range in size from ten to thirty students, and most classes meet just once a week.

Volunteer teachers do not need teaching experience, ESL certification, or the ability to speak a language other than English.

Online English classes are offered at designated beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. In-person classes are generally multi-level with sufficient staffing to allow for small group instruction at appropriate skill levels.

Citizenship classes are provided to anyone who wishes to become an American, whether they are just gathering information, have an application in process, or have secured a citizenship interview. Students study questions for the U.S. Naturalization Exam as they practice their English skills for their interview.

Our computer classes are provided for those who want to gain or improve their computer skills. We teach basic skills such as internet searching, computer care, how to access e-mail, and computer security, as well as more advanced skills including how to use Microsoft, how to download programs, and how to create resumes and apply for jobs online.

Volunteering on a Committee

Vol Committee

Are you able to share your talents and some of your time to help immigrants make it in America? Do you have specialized skills and expertise in marketing, communications and design, finance, technology, or fundraising that could benefit our work? Would you enjoy being an advocate for Welcoming the Stranger? If so, you can can have a huge impact on our work by joining one of our committees. Our volunteer committee members are all former or current professionals in their fields. Most of our committees meet monthly and always at a time that's mutually convenient for the members.

Vol Event

Volunteering for Events

Welcoming the Stranger’s International Dinner fundraiser takes place this year on November 15 at Christ's Home Community Center in Warminster. Over 300 attendees will share homestyle foods brought to the banquet by proud student voIunteers from dozens of cultures and countries. Our most important event of the year, the International Dinner both celebrates our global community and funds our classes and community. There are many ways to help: decorating the hall, soliciting donations, promoting the event, assisting with the food and food pick-up, securing donations for a silent auction and raffle. If you or someone you know might be interested in helping, just contact CindyS@welcomingthestranger.org for more details.

Volunteering for Office Work

Vol Office

Are you someone who is task-oriented, enjoys customer service, and likes working in a friendly office environment? As an administrative volunteer you could assist with operational responsibilities such as answering phones, stuffing envelopes for our bulk mailings, making copies, data entry, and other administrative tasks. Many such tasks take place at our Langhorne, PA office, but others can be done from your home. We also often have ongoing remote projects that involve research and compiling of community resources to share with our students. Hours and time commitments are flexible.