Volunteers
Share Your Time,
Change the World.
Volunteer Opportunities
YFU USA volunteers support students, families, programs, and other volunteers in a wide variety of ways. As a YFU volunteer you can choose from a number of opportunities to suit your interests, needs and schedule. YFU offers volunteers the choice of volunteering for a volunteer position or for specific tasks listed below. YFU Volunteers can conduct student orientations, make community presentations, problem-solve with international students and their host families and/or arrange social activities--there is truly a place for everyone with YFU USA. The hours and locations are flexible, and you can volunteer for some tasks without ever leaving your home!
YFU also gives you the freedom to promote programs in creative ways in your own community. Volunteer as a team, individually, or with a friend or family member. In addition, YFU provides all the training and tools you need. Ongoing formal and informal training opportunities are always available from flexible online, self-guided modules to in-person one-on-one and group formats.
Whether you are a returned exchange alumnus, a parent, a retired person, or a college student —we welcome people of all backgrounds to work with us. Whatever your skills and interests are, there is a volunteer opportunity to match them!
“My reason for volunteering was to say thank you to people who had been kind to us in our travels. An added bonus is that working with YFU has qualified me for a challenging new job!”
Judy
YFU USA Volunteer
Volunteer Positions
Brief descriptions of many of the YFU USA volunteer positions are listed below. Complete descriptions for all volunteer positions are available from your District Office.
Area Representatives (AR) - perform general tasks as requested by the Area Coordinator or Field Director.
Area Coordinators (AC) - provide leadership and supervision for other volunteers in a specific geographic area as directed by the Field Director.
American Overseas (AO) Volunteers - perform various tasks related to the American overseas student program. These can include some or all of the following: recruitment, presentations, interviews, orientations, support, or administrative assistance.
Alumni Coordinators - coordinate the activities of YFU alumni, facilitating communication within a field.
International Student (IS) Volunteers - perform various tasks related to the International Student and host family program. These can include some or all of the following: recruitment, presentations, interviews, orientations, support, or administrative process.
Trainers - provide basic procedural training and orientation to volunteers or program participants in partnership with the Field Director. They follow organizational guidelines and use standard YFU USA training and orientation manuals and materials.
Volunteer Tasks
While many of these tasks are involved in multiple positions, volunteers receive support for their efforts no matter what the position or task they undertake.
Administrative - support the administrative activities in each office and assist district and field staff in more effectively providing services to other volunteers, students, and families.
Interview - interview prospective host families and/or American Overseas students.
Orientation - assist in planning and conducting orientations for international students, American Overseas students, host families, and/or natural families.
Presenters - give presentations about YFU programs to groups at schools and other community events.
Recruiters - recruit host families and/or American Overseas students for YFU programs.
Support - provide on program support to international students and their host families and/or pre-departure support to American Overseas students and their natural families.
