Needs From: Belmont Office of Community-Engaged Learning and Service

We help clients connect to the right person in the right organization fort heir immediate
need, whether it’s housing, immigration, healthcare, job help, or more. We are trusted
connectors to resources, people and, programs. Ideally, but NOT required a resource navigator speaks- Spanish or Arabic to best communicate with many of our neighbors.

How It Works
As a volunteer resource navigator, you will be part of the Comprehensive Care program
at The Branch. You will:
Schedule volunteer shifts with Ashley Smith. The commitment is a minimum of 8
hours a month (that’s either two full volunteer shifts from 10-2 or four, half-time
shifts from either10-Noon or Noon-2)for at least 3 months.
Attend a training during your first navigator session. You’ll learn about the resources
available to clients, the tools we use to help our clients, and the process to follow
when a neighbor comes to the pantry and has needs beyond food.
You will be at the front desk during food pantry hours. You will talk to clients as they
come into The Branch to fill out paperwork; you’ll go out to their cars to see if they
need help navigating to other resources.
Document all referrals you’ve provided clients (this will be part of the training) on the
same day of your volunteer shift.
At the end of your 3-month commitment, meet with Ashley to discuss your
experience and if you would like to continue for another 3 months, or to take a break
for the next 3 months and then come back for another 3 months.

Contact Ashley Smith at ashley@thebranchofnashville.org

Help assisting in the setting up, tearing down and serving in the event room for Senior Adult Social. Will include seating, table decor, snack and information table as well as socializing with senior clients during activity.

 Volunteer time needed: 9am-12:30pm

If interested please feel free to email/text Cynthia Thurman- Older Adult Services manager @ 

60plus@thebranchofnashville.org

(615) 913-1858‬

We are in need of volunteers on Monday nights to assist with ESL courses. This need would ideally be served by someone who can make a weekly committment. Meet and greet adults who are taking English classes at The Branch. Direct them to their classes and serve as conversation partners for workbook and conversation activities and assist teacher with reading, writing, and in-class activities. 

Everyone needs help sometimes, and we are here to support families in their time of need. Each month, our Pantry provides fresh, nutritious food to over 1,000 + families in the Greater Nashville area, giving them peace of mind from knowing there is food for their tables. 

Volunteer Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesdays  and Saturday

Volunteer Hours: 9:30am -2:30pm

We have multiple ways to serve in The Pantry:

The purpose of this is to facilitate a 30-45 min conversation with an English as a Second Language (ESL) student related to a career or profession of interest. This professional development will help to increase ESL students' confidence and language skills with the goal of being able to apply for new and/or better jobs and increase their success in the workforce. All meetings will be held virtually unless otherwise agreed upon between you, your conversation partner, and the site supervisor.

“I keep saying that my experiences at The Branch made my heart full; I had such a wonderful time working with the students and learning about how their cultural backgrounds are different from my own. This was by far one of the most fulfilling service opportunities I’ve participated in a long time.”

To register fill out this form

Do you speak and/or write in a language other than English? The Branch would love your help! We serve immigrants from many countries and have ongoing language assistance needs (especially Spanish and Arabic) to help greet people in multiple languages, to work with staff and neighbors on identifying short-term and long-term needs, and in helping interpret at workshops for the community. We require a 1-hour orientation and training via Zoom.

To start, please visit the link below to fill out a 1st time volunteer with The Branch of Nashville and a waiver.

https://the-branch-of-nashville.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=47402

Then send us an email!