Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Project Rousseau’s Employment Authorization (EAD- Work Permit) application clinic.
EAD applications are a crucial step for newly arrived families in their immigration process. Individuals may apply for their EAD 150 days after they file their asylum application and begin working after they receive the work permit AND once they have waited 180 days.
We are learning that many families received help to file their asylum application pro-se, however, are now unable to receive support filing their EAD applications.
This clinic, facilitated by Project Rousseau and hosted by B’nai Jeshurun, will allow pre-screened families to apply for their EADs.
Volunteers will support the clinic in a number of ways and will be supervised by Project Rousseau’s legal team:
- Tech and Doc Support - to apply for an EAD families need to create a USCIS account online, upload various documents, and have a passport style photo available. Our tech and doc volunteers will assist with this process and while Spanish is helpful it is by no means necessary as you will be working alongside another volunteer. Your role is largely helping with the tech aspects.
- Interpretation and Form Entry - your role here is to interpret questions for the individual completing the form. The questions are basic biographical questions (your name, address etc) and to type these answers for the individual. All data entered will then be reviewed by a Project Rousseau legal representative. These reps will also be on hand to answer any questions or if a client does not understand a question. This volunteering requires conversational Spanish (or another language)
- Interpretation Supervisor - we are looking for a couple of bilingual Spanish/English speakers who are extremely confident interpreting and are able to be “on standby” for our other volunteers who may run into linguistic hiccups.
- Children’s Activities - we will need volunteers to play and occupy children of all ages while their parents complete the paperwork.
- General Volunteers - as with any event, we need volunteers who can help with way finding, food serving, etc.
We also hope to serve families who speak languages other than Spanish, so please do share if you have other language skills — with French, Russian, Dari/Farsi, Fulani, Creole and Wolof being particular priorities.
We will contact you ahead of the sessions to confirm your volunteer position and invite you to a training session (virtual) on Tuesday 19th March at 7pm. A recording of this training will be available afterwards if you cannot attend.
