Volunteer

LSI considers all qualified applicants regardless of gender, nationality, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientations.

Because of the nature of our work, we carefully screen and train our volunteers to ensure it’s a safe and successful partnership for everyone involved. First, you will complete an application. Once that is complete, you must pass a background and reference check, and have an informal interview and orientation before you start your journey. For certain volunteer positions, you may need a Tuberculosis (TB) screening. There is no cost to you in completing this paperwork. One-time volunteers and limited-hours volunteers will not be required to go through the same background and reference check process. Please contact Volunteer@LSIowa.org for more information on requirements for specific positions.

You must be at least 18 years or older to volunteer at LSI.

This depends on your volunteer position. Some volunteers build relationships directly with LSI clients, and we ask them to make a commitment of six months or more. Other opportunities may be one-time or short-term commitments.

Our volunteer interview is just like a conversation. We want to hear about your skills and interests, your experience, and your schedule so we can find the best match for you and for us. You’ll meet with our volunteer coordinator or the LSI supervisor who is seeking to fill the volunteer position.

A TB screening is a Tuberculosis screening. You’ll need this if you plan to volunteer with our Refugee Community Services or if during your volunteering, you visit a client who is incarcerated. This is important to protect your health, our staff, and those we serve. It’s free of charge and a very simple process. Your results are read 48 to 72 hours after your screening. Your volunteer coordinator can give you more information about this. This is at no cost to you; however, if you prefer, you can have your own physician do the screening at your cost.

We do not require volunteers to have previous experience for the majority of our volunteer positions. We do require all volunteers to have good communication skills and an excitement for learning. We provide all the training needed for each position.

In order to protect the interests and wellbeing of the people we serve, volunteers who either work directly with individuals or will have access to confidential information must complete the background check process. The need for the background check will depend on the nature of the volunteer opportunity.

Good people to list might be a friend, teacher, coworker, neighbor, member of your church or social group, or anyone who can attest to your character and suitability to volunteer. Please don’t list relatives. This is the step in the process that takes the most time. If you let your references know ahead of time that LSI will be contacting them, it usually speeds things up.