Volunteer for Language Services

Thank you for your interest in volunteering your language abilities. The National Immigrant Justice Center provides legal services to immigrants from around the world. Many of our clients do not speak English and therefore we need assistance with interpreting and translating.

Language volunteers:

- Must speak English and another language at an advanced conversational level
- Are able and willing to participate in interviews with sensitive information
- Must be willing to sign a confidentiality statement
- Must be over 18 years old
- Are encouraged to provide services with compassion and professionalism
- Do NOT need to be officially certified as an interpreter or translator.

I. Purpose. The purpose of this Confidentiality Agreement is to protect the identity and privacy of our clients. Volunteers at the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) encounter personal and sensitive information about clients. This is particularly true when assisting immigrant survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, torture and persecution, and unaccompanied immigrant children. Therefore, it is very important to refrain from disclosing any information to third parties about our clients to avoid causing them harm.

II. Confidential Information. Confidential client information should never be discussed in the presence of third parties, except under the Terms outlined below. Any files and/or documents containing confidential information should never be shared or released to third parties, except under the Terms outlined below. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Identifying information about the client, including name, address or phone number;
2. Information relating to the client’s family;
3. Information regarding the client’s immigration status;
4. Information about the abuse, trauma, and/or persecution experienced by the client; or
5. Any other information that would identify the client or potentially place the client and/or family members at risk.

III. Terms. By signing this Confidentiality Agreement, you agree to the highest ethical standards and to abide by the following provisions:

1. All communications between NIJC staff, volunteers, and clients are confidential.
2. The volunteer shall not disclose confidential information to a third party without the client’s express consent to release such information.
3. The volunteer shall not disclose confidential information to a third party without NIJC’s knowledge and consent.
4. I understand that as a volunteer, I have a duty to keep client information confidential throughout my term as a volunteer as well as after my volunteer status ends.
5. I understand that my failure to abide by the terms of this Confidentiality Agreement may result in the termination of my participation as a volunteer at NIJC.