Join Our Team

The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians hires smart, energetic people who have experience with cross-cultural work.

If you think your talents might be a fit for us, please e-mail a thoughtful cover letter and a resume to Amanda Bergson-Shilcock (amanda@welcomingcenter.org, fax: 215-557-2825).

For information about volunteering, please see below.

Current Job Openings:

There are no current job openings. 

Current Volunteer Skills Needed:

Interested in volunteering at the Welcoming Center? We offer a broad range of volunteer opportunities ranging from independent research projects to direct, one-on-one work with jobseekers. Past volunteers have contributed 4-30 hours per week, for periods ranging from a few months to several years. 

If you would like to be considered for a general volunteer position, please send a resume and brief cover letter explaining your interest to Amanda Bergson-Shilcock at amanda@welcomingcenter.org or fax to 215-557-2825. Please note: Due to space limitations, we are unable to accommodate volunteer groups.

In addition to general opportunities, we sometimes have specific volunteer needs. Please see below.

SOCIAL SERVICE INTERN

Are you a well-organized, effective and dynamic person who likes helping others? As a intern at the Welcoming Center, you’ll have the chance to immediately apply your knowledge in practical, everyday situations.

As part of a four-member case management team in our Vocational Literacy program, you’ll work with more than 60 adult learners from around the globe. These legal, work-authorized immigrants are participating in English, GED and job skills classes to improve their ability to find work and support their families.

BILINGUAL SMALL BUSINESS OUTREACH ASSISTANT

Are you a curious, friendly person who enjoys talking to people? Are you a “helper” who is interested in assisting immigrant business owners to succeed? Join our small business outreach work! You’ll work as part of a two-person team, walking commercial corridors in West and South Philadelphia build connections with immigrant and American-born business owners.   

What skills we're looking for:

• Bilingual in Korean or Vietnamese (other languages considered as well)
• Interested in small business
• Commitment to respect for people from all racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious groups

Time commitment: 6-10 hours per week on a stable weekday schedule (to be mutually determined)

LITERACY TUTOR

Do you have experience teaching English to adults? This volunteer opportunity is a great chance to have personal interaction with adults studying vocational English to aid in their job search. Our full-time instructor will provide orientation and training to allow you to work individually with students while the larger class is meeting.

Time commitment: 6.5 hours per week (class runs Mon-Fri 8:45-12 p.m. and 12:15-3:30 p.m.; we ask for one morning and one afternoon shift)

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Do you have graphic design experience? From time to time the Welcoming Center needs quick-turnaround assistance with small graphic design projects that cannot be handled by our in-house staff or our usual graphic design firm.

These are generally 1-2 page flyers or announcements. They need to be simple, eye-catching, and very clear. The audience is people who have limited literacy and/or limited English skills. (See example: school registration flyer.)

If you're interested in donating a few hours a month, on an as-needed basis, please contact us and include a few samples of your work.

Qualifications:

• Own computer and software (even MS Publisher is fine)
• Ability to download, manipulate and print fonts in languages other than English (you don't have to speak Chinese, but it helps if you can cut and paste a flyer, and respond to our edits)
• Keen eye for culturally sensitive design
• Experience finding and selecting culturally appropriate stock photos or Creative Commons-licensed photos
• Willingness to do small-scale projects on short notice, working from home or bringing your laptop into our office