Long-term Volunteers

Shoulder to Shoulder welcomes volunteers of all sorts for periods of volunteering. However, because there is certain amount of support, preparation and communication that is needed from Shoulder to Shoulder to help you, so we have several requirements that are listed below:

Time: Volunteers must be willing to spend a minimum of 4 weeks working at the site. (If you plan on being in the country but traveling and vacationing also, do not count that time as working.) Some exceptions can be made for professionals with narrow or specific skills that are priorities. Inquire at least 2 months in advance! Summer student rotations require 4 month advance application.

Spanish: You must be proficient or fluent to volunteer for most activities. This particularly pertains to medical providers. If you are not proficient but still want to volunteer, consider volunteering during a short term brigade. Before we send you, someone from Shoulder to Shoulder will call you and converse with you in Spanish to ascertain your speaking level.

Skills: Shoulder to Shoulder will give priorities to people with particular skills. The current needs are as follows:

• Health Professions: doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, lab technicians and advanced level students/residents of each of those professions.
• Public Health: Individuals with training and/or experience in public health are particularly needed for community based programs, project management, data management, training and work on special projects.
• Construction: Builders, skilled and unskilled laborers, plumbers, electricians, masons, landscaping and more! Shorter times are available for Construction. Spanish not required.
• Administration: anyone with work experience in systems and people management, accounting, quality improvement. Retired leaders and managers particularly are welcome!
• Education: Teachers are particularly welcome and can help with our library, Yo Puedo Program, Scholarship Program, tutoring and mentoring. Art teachers are particularly welcome and needed in the schools and the Yo Puedo Program!