2024 BRIDGES Summer Driver

Position: BRIDGES Summer Driver Reports to: K-12 Program Coordinator 

Compensation: Unpaid Location: 2130 Enterprise St SE. Kentwood, MI 

Commitment Period: Cohort 1: June 10-July 11 (June 19th and the week of 4th of July off) 

  Cohort 2: July 15-August 8  

Mission Statement: We support refugees in their journey to become fully participating members of the West Michigan community. We envision a thriving, multicultural West Michigan community where all have an opportunity to pursue a better future! 

BRIDGES Summer Drivers work closely with the K-12 Program Coordinator and are responsible for safely transporting the students to and from their homes and the Summer BRIDGES program location. Volunteers in this role can choose to drive and not be a part of the program’s day to day – ONLY support with transportation. Field trips will occur on some but not all Thursdays, so if you choose to volunteer on Thursdays, volunteer drivers may need to help transport students and other volunteers. We ask that drivers commit to transporting the same number of students each day. Pick up will be between 8:00-8:30AM and drop off is between 1:00-1:30PM.  

Training and Evaluation Meetings are required aspects of being a Driver volunteer. Training for Cohort 1 will take place on Monday, June 10th and Tuesday, June 11th from 9:00am-1:00pm. Training for Cohort 2 will take place on Monday, July 15th and Tuesday, July 16th from 9:00am-1:00pm. The BRIDGES Summer Program runs from Monday to Thursday, 8:30am-1:30pm, and Driver volunteers must commit to at least two days a week for at least one of the four-week programs. 

Requirements: 

Must be a Michigan Resident or have temporary residency in Michigan 

Valid Driver’s License  

Be at least 21 years of age 

Safe Driving Record 

State required liability insurance 

Mandatory background check 

Ability to work with diverse populations  

Ability to work with children of all ages (K-12) 

Commit to volunteering consistently on a weekly basis 

Attend required training in person 

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

Can interact compassionately with the refugee students 

Can focus with young children in the backseat 

Availability at scheduled times and punctual 

Can drive safely in rainy or foggy conditions – will cancel program if weather is an issue (weather advisory) 

Demonstrate teamwork and integrity with staff, fellow volunteers, students, and their families 

If interested, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Anna Bundy at: anna@refugeeeducationcenter.org.  

Or go to our website (refugeeeducationcenter.org) and fill out the volunteer form online.