At iACT, we have great appreciation for the wonderful volunteers who make our service work possible! In this Volunteer Spotlight, Julie Brewer, who volunteers with iACT’s Refugee Program, tells us a little more about herself.
Q: Where are you from? How long have you been in Austin?
A: I’m from Chicago and have lived in Austin for three years.
How long have you volunteered with iACT?
I’ve been volunteering for about three months.
What made you want to volunteer with iACT?
I’m a member of Austin New Church which is very involved in supporting local immigrant families and refugees and they made it easy for me to connect with local volunteer opportunities.
What do you enjoy the most about working with iACT?
My favorite part of volunteering is seeing the students smile in the morning when I arrive because I’m now a familiar face and they make me smile too!!
What’s the most challenging thing about working with iACT that you experienced?
The most challenging part is seeing the challenges students face as adult learners in a new country and understanding how hard it can be for them to get acclimated and be able to support their families.
What’s the most rewarding thing about working with iACT that you experienced?
The teachers are facing big challenges and require a lot of patience on their part- supporting them is equally fulfilling as supporting the students.
Why would you encourage others to perform similar volunteer work with iACT?
It will broaden your view of the world and remind you to be grateful for the opportunities we take for granted.
