Who are Child Advocates?
A Child Advocate is an adult who volunteers to spend time with and advocate on behalf of an individual unaccompanied immigrant child while he or she is subject to immigration proceedings. Who can be a Child Advocate? We welcome volunteers from all cultures, professions, races, ethnicities and social backgrounds. Advocates must be at least 21 years old. We have a particular need for bilingual volunteers who speak Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, Hindi or Gujarati. Is there training or support for Child Advocates? Before being assigned, Advocates are required to complete a two-day training session on child development, communicating with children, U.S. immigration law and issues facing unaccompanied immigrant children. Once assigned to an individual child, each Advocate receives continuing support, guidance and supervision from the Immigrant Child Advocacy Project. What do Child Advocates commit to do? • Visit with the child each week. • Advocate for the best interest of the child. • Help the
