Volunteer with Us
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
To volunteer with For the Nations DC (FTNDC), we ask that volunteers be able to fully support our mission, affirm our statement of faith (the Nicene Creed), and be actively engaged in a local gospel-centered church.
If this does not describe you, we would be happy to help connect you with other organizations where you can serve and help welcome our new neighbors.
APPLICATION PROCESS
If you have questions, or you’d like to learn more about our organization or the volunteer roles before applying for a specific role, please contact us at info(at)ftndc.org.
If you already know which position and location where you’d like to volunteer, please do the following:
- Step 1: Complete a volunteer application for the position you are interested in. Select the toggles below to review role descriptions and get the application link.
- Step 2: We will contact you to schedule an interview and visit.
HIDING THIS ONE SO THE REST ARE CLOSED BY DEFAULT
Time Commitment: Teach 2-3 classes per week. Total commitment is 6-9 hours per week (includes prep).]
Schedule: Mornings (9:30 AM – 11:00 AM) and/or afternoons (1:30 – 3:00 PM); Monday – Friday
Requirements: Prior teaching experience is recommended but not required. New teachers will shadow an experienced teacher and practice teaching before being assigned their own class. All teachers will receive training on our curriculum, teaching practices, and how to use ZOOM to teach. We are also looking for experienced teachers to facilitate specialized courses such as business English, American culture, etc.
Adult ESOL Teacher
Overview: Plan, prepare, and teach relevant and engaging lessons to adult students from all over the world
Time Commitment:
- Teach 1-3 classes per week (Each class is 2 hours. Prep for each class will take 1-2 hours.)
- This position requires at least a semester committment. (If you are new to teaching, this position requires a 1 year commitment due to the training involved.)
Schedule:
- Alexandria (First Baptist Church of Alexandria): Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon
- Fairfax (Redeeming Grace Church): Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon
High priority need: 2 teachers at the literacy and beginning levels for the Alexandria campus
Requirements: If you are new to teaching ESOL, you will complete a teacher training and serve as a teaching assistant (with opportunities for teaching practice) before you take on your own class. For this reason, we require at least a 1 year commitment. If you have a certificate or degree in teaching ESOL, we will provide a short orientation/training on our curriculum/program, and you will be able to teach your own class.You must complete a background check to volunteer in this role.
Note: We offer onsite childcare on a space available basis for teachers who commit to volunteer with us three days per week for a semester or more.
Adult ESOL Teaching Assistant
Overview: Support teachers by leading small groups of adult students through exercises and activities
Time Commitment: Serve once a week for ~3 hours. Serve for at least one semester.
Schedule:
- Alexandria (First Baptist Church of Alexandria): Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon
- Fairfax (Redeeming Grace Church): Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon
Requirements: Prior teaching experience is not required. This is a great role if you are interested in becoming a teacher in the future or want to come alongside and support students as they learn English. You must complete a background check to volunteer in this role.
Early Childhood Helper
Overview: Support early childhood staff in providing a safe, loving, and enriching experience for the children of our adult students.
Time Commitment: Help on a consistent day each week for ~3 hours. Help for at least one semester.
Schedule: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon at our Alexandria site (First Baptist Church of Alexandria).
Requirements: Prior experience caring for young children (0-5) is preferred. This position is open to adults and youth volunteers. The minimum age to volunteer is 13. We are also open to you bringing young children to play aside our friends, but will need to assess fit. Volunteers 18 and older must pass a background check and complete child safety training to volunteer.
Setup/Cleanup Team
Overview: Support our staff in setting and resetting classroom spaces. This is critical behind-the-scenes work that supports both our staff and the students we serve.
Time Commitment: Weekly or a few times a month for ~1 hour
Schedule: This role is at our Alexandria site (First Baptist Church of Alexandria).
Setup team meets Monday mornings
Cleanup team meets Thursdays, lunchtime/early afternoon
Requirements: You should be willing and physically able to do one or more of the following: vacuuming, bagging trash, cleaning whiteboards and tables, resetting tables and chairs, putting up supplies, and cleaning coffee carafes and other hospitality items. This position is open to adults and youth volunteers 13 or older. Youth volunteers 13-15 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Conversation Cafe Volunteer
Overview: Spend your lunch hour helping our students practice their conversational English. Each session will focus on a specific topic. There is no preparation needed and lunch is provided.
Time Commitment: Once or twice a month for ~1 hour
Schedule: This role is at our Alexandria site (First Baptist Church of Alexandria). We hold conversation cafe on Wednesdays from 11:30 – 12:30.
Requirements: Curiosity, good listening, and compassion are all important as you have conversations with our new neighbors. If you are new to cross-cultural interactions, we can help you learn.
Family Services Volunteer
Overview: Meet with students to understand their practical needs and provide assistance that can help them flourish.
Time Commitment: Flexible; weekly or a few times a month for ~1 hour/meeting
Schedule: This role is at our Alexandria site (First Baptist Church of Alexandria). Students can make appointments with the family services team on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11:30am and 1:00pm
Requirements: You should be comfortable researching and working on the computer (Google searching, completing online applications, resume writing, etc.). Experience working in multicultural settings is helpful, but if you lack experience, we can help you learn. You must complete a background check to volunteer in this role.
Family Services Career Mentor
Overview: Use your professional experience to support and encourage immigrant neighbors as they pursue meaningful employment and advance toward their career goals. Career Mentors provide guidance on industry expectations, career pathways, networking, job search strategies, and professional development within their field of expertise.
Time Commitment: ~1-2 hours/ month
Schedule: Mentors schedule times to meet with their assigned mentee once or twice a month.
Requirements: Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in a specialized field, such as education, healthcare, engineering, law, information technology, business, or a related industry. Experience working in multicultural settings is helpful, but if you lack experience, we can help you learn. You must complete a background check to volunteer in this role.