A gift of money changes a young person's path, but it is rarely the only thing that does. Behind every scholarship we award and every classroom we run stands a much wider circle of people who give their time, their skills, and their voice. The need for that wider circle is significant. The World Bank estimates that rebuilding Syria will cost at least $216 billion, a figure nearly ten times the country's projected annual output, and UNICEF reports that over two million Syrian children remain out of school. Rebuilding a generation's access to opportunity takes more than funding alone. It takes mentors, volunteers, employers, and advocates who are willing to show up.
We know that not everyone who cares about our mission is in a position to give financially, and many who already donate want to contribute in other ways too. In this blog, we walk through five meaningful, practical ways to get involved with Jusoor beyond donating, from volunteering and mentoring to fundraising, hiring, and simply spreading the word.
Key Insights:
- Volunteer for three weeks in our summer program in Lebanon, working directly with displaced children.
- Become a career mentor and guide a young Syrian job seeker through a structured, three-month program.
- Launch your own peer-to-peer fundraising campaign in your community.
- Hire or train remote Syrian talent for your business or organization through Jusoor Elkom.
- Join our team, attend our events, or simply share our story with your own network.
Volunteer Your Time in Our Summer Program
For supporters who want direct, hands-on contact with the young people we serve, our summer volunteer program offers exactly that. Over a three-week commitment in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon, volunteers complete an orientation and training period before working directly with displaced children through our Refugee Education Program. Volunteers design and lead activities including arts and crafts, sports, and peace-building exercises, working alongside our teachers to help close learning gaps that years of displacement have widened.
We look for passionate individuals who see this as more than a short-term trip. We describe the program as the first step toward becoming part of the Jusoor family, and many volunteers go on to become long-term ambassadors for our work in their own communities. If a summer commitment on the ground is not possible for you right now, following our progress and sharing it with others is a valuable first step of its own.
Become a Career Mentor
Not every learner we support needs a classroom. Many of our scholars and young alumni are ready for their first job, and what they need most is guidance from someone who has already navigated that path. Our Career Mentorship Program, called "A Step Into Your Future," pairs mentors with Syrian students and graduates for a structured, three-month experience delivered entirely online.
Over 14 sessions, mentors help mentees build the practical tools of a job search, including resumes, LinkedIn profiles, portfolios, cover letters, and interview skills, alongside the confidence to network in a new field. Mentors commit to meeting their mentee group at least twice a month by video call, with informal check-ins in between. It is a relatively modest time commitment that can shift the trajectory of a young professional's career, and it complements the work of our Career Development Program, which equips Syrian youth with the future-ready skills employers are looking for.
Launch a Fundraising Campaign in Your Community
Some of our most committed supporters never write a personal check at all. Instead, they mobilize their own networks on our behalf. Through our peer-to-peer fundraising platform, anyone can set up a personalized campaign page explaining why Syrian education matters to them, then share it with family, friends, and colleagues.
We provide a fundraising toolkit to help supporters reach their goals, along with ideas that have worked well for others, including hosting an event, donating your birthday instead of receiving gifts, organizing a bake sale, or running a Ramadan campaign focused on Zakat. Whatever the format, a peer-to-peer campaign extends our reach into communities we could never access on our own, and it invites your own circle to become part of a global community committed to Syrian youth.
Put Your Professional Skills to Work
Businesses, academics, and individual professionals all have something valuable to contribute that goes beyond a donation: expertise. Through the Jusoor Elkom initiative, employers can hire remote Syrian and Levantine talent for administrative, research, finance, and communications roles. We support employers throughout the process, from pre-employment training tailored to their needs to onboarding guidance and ongoing quality assurance, and working hours can be set around the employer's own time zone.
For professionals who would rather teach than hire, we also welcome experienced trainers to provide training with Jusoor, building candidates' skills in professionalism, remote work platforms, and modern digital tools. Arabic fluency is not required, since all of our candidates are proficient in English. This kind of skills-based engagement has measurable value across the nonprofit sector. Deloitte reports that its professionals contribute more than 158,000 hours of skills-based volunteering every year, work that builds real capacity for the organizations they support, the same principle behind hiring or training with Jusoor Elkom. Companies exploring a broader partnership can also look at our entrepreneurship program, which regularly welcomes mentors and investors to support Syrian founders.
Join Our Team or Spread the Word
Some supporters want to go further still and become part of Jusoor directly. We periodically open staff, consultant, and internship positions across our programs, and interested candidates can review current opportunities on our careers page. Even when no roles are open, following us on LinkedIn keeps you informed the moment a position becomes available.
For everyone else, the simplest way to get involved costs nothing but a few minutes. Attending or following our events, sharing our work on social media, or introducing us to a company, foundation, or community group that shares our values all multiply our reach. Awareness is not a small contribution. It is often the first step that leads someone else to volunteer, mentor, hire, or give.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the easiest ways to get involved with Jusoor besides donating?
Following our work on social media, sharing our story with your network, and attending our events are the simplest ways to start. From there, volunteering, mentoring, fundraising, and hiring remote talent are all structured opportunities open to supporters at any level of commitment.
How can I become a volunteer with Jusoor?
Our primary volunteer opportunity is the summer volunteer program in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, a three-week, in-person commitment working directly with displaced children. Details and how to apply are available on the program page.
What does a Jusoor career mentor actually do?
A career mentor is paired with a mentee group for three months and meets with them at least twice monthly to build job-search skills such as resume writing, interview preparation, and networking through our Career Mentorship Program.
How can my company get involved with Jusoor?
Businesses can hire remote Syrian and Levantine talent through Jusoor Elkom, contribute staff time as trainers through our training program, or explore a partnership with our entrepreneurship program.
Can I fundraise for Jusoor without organizing a large event?
Yes. Our fundraising platform supports campaigns of any size, from a simple social media appeal or a birthday fundraiser to a larger organized event, all built around a personalized campaign page.
Do I need to speak Arabic to volunteer, mentor, or train with Jusoor?
No. Our candidates and students are proficient in English, so Arabic fluency is not required for our mentorship, training, or remote hiring programs. Some in-person roles in our education centers may benefit from Arabic, though it is not a strict requirement.
Conclusion
Supporting Syrian youth does not require a single form of contribution. It requires a community of people willing to give what they have, whether that is a summer, a skill, a network, or simply a voice. Explore all of the ways to get involved with Jusoor and find the one that fits your time, talent, and passion, or if a financial gift is the right fit for you today, you can always donate to Jusoor. However you choose to contribute, you are helping us bridge the opportunity gap for Syrian youth, one connection at a time.
