Volunteer: Frequently Asked Questions


What volunteer opportunities do you have available?

Thank you for your interest in Literacy Partners! We have opportunities suitable for different interests, schedules, and commitment levels. Our opportunities are broken down into 5 categories:

  • We Are New York Conversation Groups  Help New Yorkers improve their English-speaking skills by leading a We Are New York (WANY) conversation group. These 2-hour classes are held weekly across all 5 boroughs over 11-week periods. Each week, the class watches a 30-minute video, and two volunteer facilitators lead guided discussions around each episode.
  • Programs – Support our Books of Their Own initiative by helping us sort and package book donations. Additionally, we occasionally need student materials translated into other languages (Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French).
  • Communications & Development Research funding prospects, proofread/copy edit communications materials, provide administrative support for donor mailings and outreach, or help organize a networking event.

I want to work directly with students.

The two best opportunities for student interaction are the WANY conversation groups and HSE study hall tutoring. We currently do not place volunteers in our ESOL classes, which are led by professional teaching instructors.

As our focus is to serve parents, we do not have any volunteer opportunities that engage directly with children.


What time commitment do you require?

We have everything from one-time special project-based opportunities to weekly tutoring with no set end time. Fill out our survey and let us know your availability. We’ll do our best to find you the right volunteer opportunity to meet your interests.


Do I need to have any special skills?

No! All you need is to have a genuine interest and passion for helping our students create success for themselves and a better future for their children.

If you do have any special skills or background we should know about, please share! We’ll do our best to match you up with an opportunity that leverages your personal and/or professional experiences.


When is the next volunteer orientation?

Orientations vary by opportunity. Fill out our survey to let us know what you’re interested in doing, and when you’d like to get started. We’ll follow up with next steps.


How old do I have to be to volunteer?

If you are under the age of 18, you must have written permission from a parent or guardian to participate.


What group/corporate opportunities do you have?

Group opportunities are generally one-time and special project-based. To inquire further, please email volunteer@literacypartners.org.


I have irregular hours. Are there other ways I can get involved?

Yes! You can get involved a number of other ways, such as hosting a special event like a book drive or a fundraising happy hour for Literacy Partners. These networking events are important ways we can engage more people in our mission.

You can also join our TD Five Boro Bike Tour or TCS New York City Marathon teams and represent Literacy Partners as you help us raise critical funds for our programming.

Reach out to us at volunteer@literacypartners.org for more information and other ideas!


I have a friend/family member who wants to join a ESOL or HSE class. How can I get them the resources they are looking for?

We’d love to learn more and have them join a class! Please email class@literacypartners.org.


How do I get started?

To be considered as a Literacy Partners volunteer, tell us more about yourself, your interests, and your availability by completing our survey! Once completed, someone from our team will be in touch with you about next steps.