Volunteers

We at LEDC value the work of volunteers to help fulfill our mission to drive the economic and social advancement of low- to moderate-income Latinos and other D.C. area residents by equipping them with the skills and tools to achieve financial independence and become leaders in their communities. We work to provide worthwhile opportunities with concrete benefits for all who choose to donate their time and energy in support of our work.

If you would like to be added to our volunteer list for updated volunteer announcements, please email Ash Kosiewicz at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Volunteer Application (click to download)

Spring 2012 Volunteer Opportunities

Click on the broad categories to see the volunteer opportunities that are currently available.

General

Translation/Interpretation Volunteer

The General Translation/Interpretation Volunteer helps LEDC fulfill its commitment to provide multilingual, culturally sensitive information to help LEDC participants learn and understand their rights in their native languages. Learn more about the rich, cultural diversity of DC communities and help our staff translate important information for distribution and provide interpretation at LEDC meetings and events.

Affordable Housing Preservation

Outreach Volunteer

The Affordable Housing Outreach Volunteer helps our Affordable Housing team prepare for and help run Tenants’ Rights forums, events, and fundraisers. Get to know our tenant organizers and learn some of the ins-and-outs of community organizing as you walk through communities in DC hanging up and handing out fliers, reach out to tenants before events, assist with mailings, and collect signatures on advocacy campaigns in support of decent, affordable housing.

Communications and Advocacy

Communications Volunteer

The Communications Volunteer helps our Communications and Advocacy Department create visually appealing graphics, photo essays, and posters to raise the visibility of LEDC's work in the community. Help our team take photos at major LEDC events, strengthen how we tell stories about the LEDC experience, and improve our ability to connect internal and external stakeholders with LEDC. Flex your creative muscle and get to know some of the ins and outs of nonprofit communications for a community-based nonprofit in DC.

General

Position Title: Translator
Open/Close Date: Ongoing
# of Volunteers Needed     2
Accountable to: LEDC Program Directors
Objective: Ensure that LEDC participants receive information in the language they speak and understand 
Duties:    Provide translation of English LEDC materials into Spanish/Amharic on an as-needed basis
Qualifications:    Effective written and verbal communication skills in English, Spanish/Amharic
Understanding of issues that low-income residents face.
Translation experience
Benefits: Opportunity to learn about DC residents and the important issues they face!
Time Commitment: Flexible. Translation can be done at any time. 8 + hours.
Training: Orientation is provided.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at LEDC, please send a completed volunteer application and resume to Communications and Advocacy Director Ash Kosiewicz at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Position Title: Interpreter
Open/Close Date:    Ongoing
# of Volunteers Needed     2
Accountable to: LEDC Program Directors
Objective: Ensure that LEDC participants of diverse backgrounds are fully engaged in meetings and can participate
Duties:    Provide English-Amharic or English-Spanish interpretation at LEDC events/meetings
Qualifications:    Effective written and verbal communication skills in English and Amharic/Spanish
Understanding of issues that low-income DC residents face.
Consecutive/simultaneous interpretation experience
Benefits:  Opportunity to talk your neighbors and other DC residents about important issues!
Time Commitment: LEDC meetings are generally weekdays from 7 – 8:30 PM or on weekends. One meeting per month requested.
Training:    Orientation is provided. Training and materials provided.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at LEDC, please send a completed volunteer application and resume to Communications and Advocacy Director Ash Kosiewicz at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Affordable Housing Preservation

Position Title:    Affordable Housing and Tenant Outreach Volunteer
Open/Close Date:  Ongoing basis
# of Volunteers Needed     5
Accountable to:    Farah Fosse, Affordable Housing Program Director
Objective:   
-    Conduct outreach for tenant rights forums and events.
Duties:   
-    Hang up fliers and posters in target neighborhoods
-     Door-to-door outreach
-    Hand out fliers at metro stations and shopping centers
-    Make remind calls to tenants before events
-    Assist with mailings
-    Collect signatures on petitions, postcards for affordable housing campaigns.
Qualifications:   
-    Knowledge of DC neighborhoods (preferred)
-    Effective verbal communication skills
-    Willingness to walk around / be on your feet
-    Outgoing personality
-    Understanding of issues that low-income tenants face.
-    Ability to speak Spanish, Amharic or Chinese is a plus!
Benefits:   
-    Learn about tenant rights and issues facing low-income renters
-    Opportunity to talk your neighbors and other DC residents about important issues!
-    Make an impact in your community to preserve affordable housing and protect tenant rights!

Time Commitment:    Afternoons, evenings or weekends leading up to specific events. Very flexible! Min 2 hours.
Training:    Orientation is provided. New volunteers are paired up with someone more experienced.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at LEDC, please send a completed volunteer application and resume to Communications and Advocacy Director Ash Kosiewicz at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Communications and Advocacy

Position Title: Photography Volunteer
September 2010 - December 2010
# of Volunteers Needed: 1
Accountable to: Ash Kosiewicz, Communications and Advocacy Director
Objective: Photograph major LEDC events and participants to help enhance the story we share with our diverse audiences.
Duties:
-   Photograph major LEDC events for the Fall
-    Edit photos when appropriate
-    Meet with LEDC participants for brief photo sessions
-    Interest in nonprofit communications
-    Experience taking photos
-    Familiarity with Photoshop a plus!
-    Photojournalism background a plus!
-    Ability to speak Spanish is a plus!
Qualifications:
- Photography experience; owns high-res camera a plus
Benefits:
-    Gain insight into the stories and issues that low- and moderate-income communities face. 
-    This is an outstanding opportunity for someone interested in starting a portfolio while contributing to a successful nonprofit organization.
-    Contribute to the development of your community!
-   Fulfill community service course requirements and receive recognition letters of service!
Time Commitment: Afternoons, evenings or weekends leading up to specific events. Very flexible! Min 2 hours.Orientation is provided.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at LEDC, please send a completed volunteer application and resume to Communications and Advocacy Director Ash Kosiewicz at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .