The We Are New York  (WANY) Project will hold a training session for Volunteer Facilitators on Saturday, Dec. 3 in Building 1A, Room 207 from 12:30pm to 5:30pm.

There are 1.8 million adult immigrant New Yorkers who need help with English. English language proficiency is an important factor in determining accessibility to health, social, educational, and employment services. With this in mind, the Emmy Award-winning television series, We Are New York, was created to help adult immigrants learn English. The WANY Project brings together community organizations and volunteers to offer free English conversation groups in neighborhoods around New York City. Using We Are New York, the groups discuss issues that most concern immigrants. The project empowers adult immigrants by informing them about city resources while helping them learn English.

We Are New York facilitators are students, seniors, and working professionals who commit their time to helping adult immigrants practice English. Scheduling is flexible with evening and weekend placement options in all five boroughs. The only requirements are that the volunteer knows English, is outgoing, and is interested in New York’s diverse immigrant population.

Volunteer Facilitators:

-commit to leading ten two-hour classes. Classes may occur once weekly for ten weeks, or twice weekly for five weeks
-attend six hours of training, split into two sessions, before placement leading a group; there is also a three-hour refresher training held after the third session
-comply with weekly reporting requirements.
-may use this service opportunity for any community service requirements at their respective colleges or program. After completing three required trainings and leading one conversation group, the volunteer will have accrued 29 community service hours. The We Are New York staff will sign and complete all documents needed after the volunteer completes his/her language group.

To register to attend this training session, visit the Program Website  and click on the “Volunteer” tab.

You may email Isabella Cardona at icardona@wany.nyc.gov for more information.