Volunteer with Okapi America

Share what you know. Help someone build a future.

Our volunteers help Congolese Americans, immigrants, and refugees find practical guidance, confidence, and a stronger foundation as they build their lives in the United States.

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Your time and expertise matter

Help people navigate a new chapter with confidence.

Here at Okapi America, we are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers willing to share their time and expertise with our organization’s members.

Many of our members want to take greater control of various aspects of their lives but need guidance on where to start. Your expertise can provide the tools, confidence, and knowledge they need to succeed.

If you are passionate about helping others build a strong foundation for their future and want to make a lasting, practical impact in our community, we welcome you to get in touch. We are seeking patient communicators who can explain complex concepts in simple, everyday language and teach the subjects listed on this page.

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Why this work matters

A practical welcome to a new community.

Okapi America advances its mission by supporting Congolese Americans, immigrants, and refugees as they build their lives in the United States—and by providing preparatory education and essential resources to Congolese refugees abroad.

Integration and access

Help people find guidance and connections for food, transportation, language access, education, employment preparation, and essential services.

Support beyond borders

Okapi America also provides preparatory education and essential medical, food, and educational supplies to Congolese refugees in African host nations.

Everyday orientation

Help community members understand U.S. financial literacy, laws, traffic regulations, daily routines, and the systems that affect everyday life.

Our aim is to help members of the Congolese community in the United States feel as naturally at home as the okapi does in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while empowering them to pursue economic independence and active citizenship.

Volunteer teaching topics

Share knowledge that people can use every day.

Volunteers are invited to help teach the topics below. You do not need to teach every subject—contact us to ask about the curriculum and scheduling and discuss where your knowledge may be useful.

Help members build a foundation for managing everyday finances, including:

  • Checking and savings accounts.
  • Credit scores and credit building.
  • Secured credit cards.
  • Filing taxes.
  • Tracking expenses and building emergency funds.
  • Life insurance.

Help explain the basic principles and responsibilities of civic life:

  • Following federal, state, and local laws, and understanding the three levels of government.
  • Understanding the rule of law: no individual, including government officials or police officers, is above the law.
  • Respecting civil rights and understanding that discrimination or harassment based on race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, or country of origin is illegal.

Help members learn the practical basics of safe and lawful driving:

  • Obtaining a valid driver’s license; driving without a license or with an expired license from another country can be a serious offense.
  • Carrying auto insurance as required by applicable law.
  • Obeying traffic signs and signals.
  • Wearing seat belts, using child safety seats, and following laws governing handheld cell-phone use while driving.
  • Never drinking and driving; driving under the influence can carry serious legal consequences.

Help members understand basic expectations and rights during interactions with law enforcement:

  • If stopped, stay calm, keep hands visible, and do not run or argue.
  • Cooperate with lawful police orders.
  • Never offer a bribe; bribing a police officer or public official is a serious criminal offense.
  • Understand basic rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an attorney if arrested or questioned about a crime.

Support learning and preparation in the following areas:

  • U.S. civics and government.
  • U.S. history.
  • English reading and writing, speaking, and comprehension.
  • Review of the Form N-400 application.

Help explain common responsibilities that support safer, more informed community life:

  • Registering for Selective Service when required.
  • Understanding domestic violence laws. Physical or emotional abuse, and threats against a spouse, partner, or child, can have serious legal consequences and are not merely private family matters.
  • Respecting public property and noise ordinances. Littering, loitering, vandalism, and violations of local quiet-hour regulations may result in penalties.
  • Understanding that lease, utility, and loan agreements can create legally binding obligations, and that failing to comply can have legal or financial consequences.

Adjusting to a new country can bring significant emotional stress. Okapi America partners with mental health experts who teach basic strategies to help members maintain well-being while coping with the pressures of adapting to a new country.

  • Expect complex feelings. Moving can involve grief for what was left behind and stress from adapting to a new culture. Sadness, loneliness, anxiety, and guilt can be normal reactions to major change.
  • Acknowledge acculturative stress. Learning a new language, finding work, and adapting to an unfamiliar society can cause physical and mental exhaustion.
  • Shed the stigma. Cultural attitudes can make it difficult to discuss emotional pain. Recognizing that seeking help can be a sign of strength may help reduce this barrier.
  • Build small connections. Local community groups, cultural organizations, and casual social settings can help combat isolation.
  • Maintain familiar anchors. Routines, spiritual practices, and regular communication with family and friends back home can provide comfort.
  • Practice self-compassion. Give yourself permission to adapt at your own pace without harsh self-judgment.

Our aim is to help members of the Congolese community in the United States feel as naturally at home as the okapi does in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while empowering them to pursue economic independence and active citizenship.

Understanding the challenges

Integration is more than arriving.

The supplied Okapi America information explains that resettlement can mark the beginning of a challenging new journey. Culture shock and unfamiliar systems can feel overwhelming after the unrest people have left behind.

Language access

Many Congolese refugees and immigrants arrive with little or no English proficiency. Community members may speak French, Kibembe, Swahili, Lingala, Kikongo, or Tshiluba. Okapi America connects people with free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to develop practical language skills for daily life.

Job skills and training

Okapi America connects community members with job-training programs through local community colleges and vocational centers. The organization also encourages qualified young adults to think strategically about career and training opportunities.

Essential resources

Support can include guidance on immigration pathways, green cards and citizenship, state IDs and driver’s licenses, safe housing, emergency shelters, rental assistance, health care, basic insurance, K–12 public school enrollment, and eligible food assistance programs such as SNAP.

The source information notes that some Congolese refugees and immigrants arrive without the vocational or trade experience needed for particular U.S. employment opportunities. To address this, Okapi America connects community members with job training at local community colleges and vocational centers. It also encourages qualified high school and college graduates to consider strategic career pathways, including opportunities with the U.S. government and military, which the source describes as offering advanced training in a range of professional fields.

Ready to help empower our members?

We welcome patient communicators who want to share their time, talent, and knowledge.
Questions about the curriculum or scheduling are welcome.

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