“When I think of what I can do to make the world a better place, it’s all about starting small. I remember how much I was influenced by mentors when I was in middle and high school. It was the personal relationship I had with them – the time they took to sit and listen to me, those one off conversations, and the constant encouragement I received. This program is so inspiring because it is starting small and changing the world one hija at a time.”
Meghan Maciag, Class Captain and Mija
Our volunteer opportunities offer a range of experiences for those wishing to make a profound difference in the lives of our participants and our organization.
Please complete the Volunteer Interest Form or contact [email protected] to inquire further about volunteer opportunities, which include:
Workshop Facilitator
Circle de Luz is always seeking community members with whom to create dynamic partnerships. We are fortunate to have cultivated connections that have led to wonderful programming for our members at a reduced rate or without charge. We follow a twelve-category developmental model that includes:
- Health and Wellness
- Academic Inspiration/Support/College Readiness
- Career Inspiration
- Life Skills
- Arts
- Challenge/Personal Growth
- Outdoors
- Team Building
- Community Engagement
If you have a workshop that would be appropriate for young women ages 12-18 that fits into one of these categories, we would love to hear from you! Additionally, if you have access to meeting space, we are always seeking locations for workshops and would welcome the chance to partner.
Program Volunteer
We are very fortunate to have such a committed base of volunteers but we are always looking for volunteer support. We draw our volunteers from our pool of scholarship donors called Mijas. Utilizing these women as our primary group of volunteers allows us to facilitate meaningful relationships and interactions between them and our program members. We also employ strict Safe Sanctuary guidelines to ensure the emotional and physical safety of the young women entrusted to our care, and these guidelines require a background check for volunteers. Because our Mija donors are part of our program for six years, the expense of these checks is justified by the likelihood that they will be repeat volunteers. There are a few exceptions to this policy, and if you are part of a group that would like to help with a specific event, we invite you to contact us. Learn more about becoming a Mija.
Hijas Unidas Academic Support
The Hijas Unidas Academic Support Program fosters a collaborative community of learning made up of students and volunteers. These biweekly sessions provide students with the opportunity to receive tailored support focused on specific subjects, as well as learn tools and strategies for managing their time, staying organized, preparing for exams, and more. Hijas Unidas Tutors provide one-on-one or group tutoring support in specific subjects, or guidance on academic and professional success strategies. Volunteers in this role are not required to have professional tutoring experience, only confidence in their ability to engage with students and support them in their learning journeys. There is a particularly strong need for tutors who can assist with NC state math, biology, chemistry, writing, and reading comprehension for grades 7-12.
Adelante Program Mentor
As each of our classes start their sophomore year of high school, they begin our Adelante: College & Career Pathways Program, designed to personalize their post-secondary research and application process. As part of the Adelante experience, each girl is matched with a mentor who will guide her through her personal journey to post-secondary education. Our mentors are the foundation of each girl’s Adelante experience. The heart of the role is providing valuable support as our hijas navigate the college or post-secondary education and scholarship research and application process. Experiencing the joy of watching a young woman recognize the possibility before her while growing into her best self is the greatest gift of mentoring. These interesting, passionate, principled volunteers support their Hija as she navigates a process full of challenges and opportunities.
Class Captain
The heart and soul of Circle de Luz lies with our dedicated Class Captains. This six year position is what enables us to offer deep, meaningful impact for our hijas and their families. As we begin to recruit Mijas to sponsor the scholarships for a class, we also begin to recruit four women who will join together to serve as the Class Captains. These women will, with support from the Program Manager, create and execute the Circle de Luz experience for that class. They experience the joy of watching a group of young women recognize the possibility before them while growing into their best selves. These interesting, passionate, principled volunteers support the hijas as they navigate a world full of challenges and opportunities.
