Volunteer

Volunteers Power Our Community

Volunteering with EPAAF plays a vital role in student success. Whether you volunteer your time by becoming a tutor, your expertise by serving as career coach, or your monetary support by funding programs and scholarships, your involvement in our community will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and scholars. We welcome individuals eager to share their time and talents, and we're dedicated to finding the perfect fit for your time, skills, and interests. Your support helps our students thrive and reach their full potential.

Please review our volunteer opportunities below. Don’t see something that fits? Please reach out! Complete our inquiry form and we’ll be in touch.  Have questions? 

Please contact Maggie Garzon at mgarzon@epaaf.org.

  • Join us in supporting EPAAF students by becoming a tutor for those taking challenging courses in their postsecondary education or training. We need volunteers with expertise in Economics, College-Level Math (Pre-Calculus, Linear Algebra, Calculus), Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Engineering. Tutors help students study for tests, complete homework, and clarify difficult topics.

    Time Commitment: 1 hour/week, flexible, all virtual via Zoom

    Requirements:

    • Demonstrate expertise in the chosen subject area

    • Participate in a 30-minute intake meeting

    • Complete a background check

    Your knowledge and guidance can make a significant impact on our students' academic success.

  • Join us as a Career Coach to support scholars attending four-year universities. Career Coaches provide career readiness support to college juniors nearing graduation. We’re looking for people with experience in the fields of medicine, marketing, criminal justice, biology, graphic design, or psychology, and more to mentor students in career exploration, resume building, and sharing industry insights.

    Time Commitment: One exploratory meeting, with optional continued meetings if both parties are interested. The scholar and volunteer will determine a schedule of 2-4 check-ins via Zoom.

    Requirements: Participate in a 30-minute intake meeting, share career insights, and complete a background check.

  • Mentors play a vital role in supporting first-generation college students throughout their college journey. In collaboration with EPAAF staff, mentors help students achieve their goals, make a difference in their communities, and access lives of choice and opportunity. Each mentor is paired with a first-generation scholar supporting their social-emotional wellness and academic progress. Mentors meet with their mentees at least once a month and communicate via text, email, or phone a few times a month, providing vital encouragement and resources.

    Time Commitment: 1-2 hours/month for four years

    Onboarding: Complete an electronic background check, participate in a two-hour orientation, and receive ongoing training/resources throughout the program.

  • EPAAF, in collaboration with EPAA, offers a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the year for our community supporters. These include:

    Application Evaluator/Reader – April

    Evaluate and rank our merit-based scholarship applications to determine who moves on to the interview round.

    • Time Commitment: 5-8 hours - virtual

    EPAAF Scholarship Interviewer – April or May 

    Serve as interview panelists for merit-based scholarships, providing feedback and helping select recipients.

    • Time Commitment: 1-4 hours in person

    EPAA Student Exhibition Judge - May 

    Evaluate EPAA students’ exhibitions in which they share their learning and growth from the year and reflect on their competence in their grade’s focus skills from the EPAA Graduate Profile, highlighting their work and experience and discussing how they will apply these skills to their future endeavors.

    • Time commitment:  4 hours in-person

    • Onboarding:  Attend a training session with details on how best to support students in this volunteer role

    EPAA Career Day: Panelists – Spring or Fall 

    Share your career pathway and answer student questions to provide diverse career exploration opportunities.

    • Time Commitment: 1 hour in person

    • Onboarding: Staff will provide context and share questions ahead of the event

    Fill out our inquiry form to volunteer!

Volunteer Inquiry Form

  • "Tutoring is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had. The joy one feels when a student has the 'aha!' moment in understanding a new or difficult concept is an amazing feeling. Tutoring is a great way to make a positive difference in a young person's life and also my own!"

    Jignesh, STEM Tutor

  • “I love working with the scholars in EPAAF programs. From class assignments to final research papers to resumes to drafts of their play, reading students’ work and providing support is an honor and so much fun."

    Jessica, Tutor

  • "I’ve been inspired to see how the Dream Lab creates a space for young people to follow their passions in STEM while making cool things. I’ve loved supporting them in enhancing diversity in the Dream Leader cohort. Whether it’s working with students to interview staff members and other students, brainstorming new ideas, or building prototypes, I’m excited to come each week.”

    Rob, Dream Lab Volunteer