La Comunidad Hispana

314-316 East State Street.
Kennett Square, PA  19348

610.444.4545  

Established in 1973, La Comunidad Hispana is a non-profit agency that “provides multiple services to vulnerable, low-income families and individuals in the Chester County area, especially the Latino community surrounding Kennett Square”, primarily consisting of migrant farmworkers. LCH includes a social services department that provides information and referral services, case management, emergency assistance for food, clothing, shelter and utilities, housing assistance, employment counseling, translation, interpretation, transportation and advocacy. The nurse-managed primary health care center of LCH, Project Salud, offers bilingual and bicultural health education, care, and referrals, as well as transportation and medical interpretation for area hospital appointments. Additionally, LCH includes an Education Department that provides ESL classes and tutoring, GED preparation in Spanish, computer training, and citizenship courses. As well, Mi Casa Su Casa, a Latin American gift shop in Kennett Square raises funds for LCH and has opportunities for volunteers. 

Volunteer opportunities may be of particular interest to Spanish majors, Education majors - especially those interested in ESL, Human Services majors, Nursing majors, Computer Science majors and Computer Engineers, Marketing majors, and Peace & Justice minors, as well as anyone interested in learning about the issues surrounding migrant farm workers. 

Contact: Jeanne Searer, Volunteer Coordinator, jsearer@lchps.org
                Available Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 

Volunteer Opportunities:

A variety of service opportunities exist through La Comunidad Hispana; times, days, and commitment level vary according to the opportunity. 

English Class Assistant

Help adult students learn English in a classroom setting by assisting the instructor with the lesson, working with students in small groups, and helping individual students with special needs. Spanish language skills are not necessary since the goal is for students to communicate in English. Up to two volunteers can be accommodated per classroom; classrooms are located throughout public schools in Kennett and further south. Six classes exist in Kennett Square. 

When: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; a commitment of at least one evening a week for a semester is expected. Consistency of schedule is necessary. 

Class Assistant for GED Classes in Spanish

Help students studying for the GED in a classroom setting by assisting the instructor with the lesson, working with students in small groups, and helping individual students with special needs. Spanish proficiency is required as is the ability to teach junior and senior high school level math. Up to two volunteers can be accommodated per classroom; there are six classes in Kennett Square. 

When: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday evenings; volunteers can work 1-2 nights per week, but must be consistent in their weekly schedules. 

Bilingual Nursing Positions

Volunteer bilingual Spanish/English nursing students can be used in LCS’s clinic, Project Salud. Volunteers will help administer vaccinations and/or input medical information to the clinic’s computer system. 

Unpaid internships are also available 

When: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; a minimum of two hour shifts are requested. Volunteers need to be consistent with the schedule. 

Administrative Clerical Assistant

Improve agency services to clients by performing clerical duties – filing, typing, mailing, copying - for the business manager and executive director.

When: Monday through Friday, anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; commitment can be determined, but at least two hours a week are requested. 

Clerical Assistant

Improve services to clients by providing general clerical support in the Social Services department and Project Salud. Volunteer will interact with the client population and will have exposure to Spanish language.

When: Mon., Weds., Fri., anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Tues. and Thurs. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Commitment can be determined, but at least two hours a week are requested. 

Data Entry Assistant

Increase the effectiveness of services to health clinic patients by assuring that weekly registrations and patient histories/encounters are entered into the system. Great experience for exposure to working in a health clinic. 

When: Monday through Friday, sometimes until 7 p.m.; volunteer commitment can be determined, but at least two hours a week are requested. 

Educational Assistant

Assist the Educational Coordinator with facilitating student learning through program administration by maintaining student files, the database, and other tasks deemed appropriate by the Coordinator and volunteer designed around the volunteer’s strengths, goals and interests. Basic Spanish skills are helpful, but not necessary. Volunteer can have contact with students if desired and depending on Spanish skills. 

When: Monday through Friday, flexible daytime hours; volunteer commitment can be determined, but at least two hours are requested per week. 

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