Centreville Labor Center In Need Of Volunteers To Assist Immigrants

CENTREVILLE, VA — The Centreville Immigration Forum is shifting back to full in-person operations later this month for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Centreville Immigration Forum, which operates the Centreville Labor Resource Center, serves as a safe place where recent immigrants can get matched up with homeowners who need odd jobs done around the house or contractors who need workers for one- or two-day jobs. The group drastically scaled back operations during the pandemic.

The return to in-person operations will begin on Monday, May 23.

With full-scale operations starting up again, the organization is seeking volunteers. While the labor center is run by paid staff, volunteers are often needed in the spring, summer and on Saturdays. Volunteers help staff with daily operations, facilitate employer communication and work on job placements. The greatest need for volunteers is on Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.

CIF offers workshops to its members, primarily related to carpentry, painting, drywall and landscaping. The organization also provides workshops on financial planning and life skills, including how to use a computer and banking in the United States. The center welcomes volunteers to lead workshops in their areas of expertise.

The organization also provides accompaniment services to members who do not have steady transportation. Volunteers are needed to provide transportation to its members for medical, legal and other types of appointments. CIF is looking for weekday availability from volunteers for accompaniment services.

Volunteers also are need to teach English to speakers of other languages. No experience or knowledge of Spanish is required, but is helpful, CIF said.

One of the key services provided by CIF is helping its members recover unpaid wages. This includes providing information about options for recourse and assisting them by conducting research, completing paperwork and documenting wage theft. Volunteers are needed usually on case by case basis, and a training manual is available.

Founded in 2011, the Centreville Labor Resource Center, located in a Centreville shopping center near the corner of Centreville Road and Lee Highway, connects its members with homeowners and contractors who need help with landscaping, painting, moving and similar types of work.

Most of the center's members are immigrants from Guatemala who moved to western Fairfax County because they had family or friends who already lived there.

Community members who wish to volunteer should contact the organization at volunteer@thecifva.org.

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