Volunteers are an essential part of TIRRC. We have many ongoing and one-time opportunities for individuals and volunteer groups. Click the links below or scroll down to learn more.  For questions or more information, please contact Maleny at maleny@tnimmigrant.org. 

InterNASHional Night Market Volunteers

The InterNASHional Night Market is an annual culinary event organized by TIRRC that allows people to discover new cultures by experiencing foods from restaurants all around Nashville. This opportunity takes place in September. The purpose of the Night Market is to serve as a major fundraising event dedicated to support TIRRC’s work to build power for immigrants and refugees in Tennessee.

Volunteers will be placed in groups and assigned to various areas of the Night Market to help TIRRC staff and restaurant vendors.

Responsibilities might include: 

  • Handing out food samples 

  • Checking participant wristbands 

  • Assisting with table set-up and teardown

English Classes

GOAL: English Innovations classes build the conversational skills of adult English language learners, and empowers them to be active and engaged community members.  Classes help people master the skills needed to take the next step in life - get their GED, apply for citizenship, get a new job - by helping people achieve conversational fluency in English and basic digital literacy skills through an 8-week intensive virtual course.

TASKS: Volunteers play an important role in the learning process by helping build the confidence and conversational English skills of adult students. Volunteers assist the class instructor with small breakout groups of 4-6 students, helping facilitate 30-minute discussions on readings or theme of the day. Volunteers also participate in group games and work one-on-one with students.

TIME/FREQUENCY: Two evenings a week (1.5 hours) over the course of 8 weeks, from 6:00-7:30 pm. Classes take place in spring, summer, and fall.

SKILL SET/LANGUAGE: No teaching experience required. Must be able to engage positively with adult learners from diverse communities.

TRAINING: Training will take place the Friday prior to the beginning of the class cycle. 

REGION/LOCATION: Classes are held virtually via Zoom.

Get Out The Vote - Voter Registration, Canvassing, & Phone Banking

GOAL: We register naturalized citizens and second-generation immigrants to vote. During election years, we lead robust campaigns to turn out new American voters to the polls to build greater accountability from elected officials. It is important to note that TIRRC volunteers DO NOT endorse any candidates or parties during this process.

TASKS: There are three different volunteer opportunities with our GOTV work. Volunteers will register voters to help increase voter turnout in immigrant and refugee communities. By pairing together and traveling to various neighborhoods to inform low-propensity immigrants about the voting process, they will help community members create a plan to vote early or on election day to help increase voter turnout in immigrant and refugee communities. Volunteers will also call low-propensity immigrant voters and inform them about their polling places using a TIRRC call script provided to them.

SKILL SET/LANGUAGE: Bilingual helpful but not required. Must be able to communicate positively with people from diverse communities.

TRAINING: Training is held monthly via Zoom.

REGION/LOCATION: Statewide. Places of worship, community events, and festivals, ethnic businesses.

Creative/Special Skills

Do you have any special skills such as photography, videography, graphic design, or a legal background? We need volunteers to help us share stories, document and promote events, and assist with pro-bono legal work. If you’d like to put your skills to good use, let us know and we will find ways to get you involved!