Volunteer With Us - School of Second ChancesLocation - Pune, India
About SOSC -
School of Second Chances is NavGurukul's residential program for women survivors of trauma. Through our Super Chef course in Pune, women spend 6-12 months learning culinary skills, digital literacy, English, and building the confidence to create independent futures.Our learners come from shelter homes, survivors of violence, and those who've faced significant adversity. We're not just teaching cooking—we're creating pathways to transformation, community, and real second chances.Why Volunteer?Make a difference. Work directly with learners and see tangible change happen. This isn't administrative work—you'll be shaping programs and supporting women as they rebuild their lives.Learn by doing. Gain hands-on experience in areas like trauma-informed communication, community building, social entrepreneurship, and program development etc.Grow with us. We support our volunteers with training, mentorship, and guidance. Strong volunteers can transition into paid roles with us or within the broader NavGurukul network.Build meaningful connections. Work alongside passionate people, learn from incredible women with powerful stories, and be part of a community working toward real change.Volunteer Opportunities -Business Development - Food Truck
What You'll Do:
- Help launch and grow our student-run food truck initiative
- Support with menu development, pricing strategy, and location planning
- Create marketing campaigns and build customer base
- Manage partnerships with events, colleges, and corporate clients
- Help with operations, logistics, and customer feedback systems
- Support students in running the business day-to-day
Good fit if you -
- Want hands-on experience building something from the ground up
- Enjoy marketing, operations, or entrepreneurship
- Are studying business, hospitality, food management, or related fields
- Love the idea of a social enterprise where students are learning while earning
- Have ideas about branding, growth, or customer engagement
Commitment: Flexible, 4-6 hours/week, mix of remote work and on-ground supportCommunication & Social Media
What You'll Do:
- Create engaging content for Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
- Tell learners' stories through posts, reels, and blogs (with their consent)
- Help with fundraising campaigns and donor communications
- Manage our online presence and community engagement
Good Fit If You:
- Have strong writing or content creation skills
- Understand social media and what makes content engaging
- Care about ethical storytelling and representation
- Are studying media, communications, design, or have relevant experience
Commitment: 4-6 hours/week, remote-friendly with campus visits for content creationStudent Mentorship
What You'll Do:
- Meet regularly (in-person or virtual) with 1-2 learners
- Listen, encourage, and support them through challenges
- Help with goal-setting and thinking through future paths
- Be a consistent, supportive presence throughout their journey
Good Fit If You:
- Are a good listener and genuinely interested in supporting others
- Understand that mentorship is about showing up, not having all the answers
- Can commit to consistency over at least 6 months
- Are studying psychology, social work, or simply have empathy and patience
Commitment: 2-3 hours/week, minimum 6 months, in-person preferredCreative FacilitatorsWe're looking for volunteers to lead workshops or regular sessions in creative domains. These sessions build confidence, support healing, and strengthen community.
Areas We Need:
Music - Voice, instruments, group singing, or music therapy approachesDance - Any style—classical, folk, contemporary, Bollywood, or movement therapyTheatre - Acting, improv, storytelling, or drama for confidence-buildingArts & Crafts - Painting, drawing, textile arts, or expressive artsWellness - Yoga, meditation, breathwork, or fitness activitiesGames & Play - Team building, sports, or recreational activities
What You'll Do:
- Facilitate workshops or regular sessions in your area
- Create safe, inclusive spaces for exploration and expression
- Focus on process and joy rather than perfection
- Adapt activities to learners' comfort levels and interests
Good Fit If You:
- Have skill or training in any of these areas (formal or informal)
- Believe in creativity as a tool for healing and confidence
- Can create trauma-informed, non-judgmental spaces
- Want facilitation experience in a supportive environment
Commitment: Flexible—one-time workshops, monthly sessions, or regular weekly classes
What You Need
- Based in or near Pune with ability to visit our Lohegaon campus
- Reliable and able to commit to your proposed schedule
- Open to learning trauma-informed approaches (we'll provide training)
- Respectful of learners' privacy, dignity, and diverse backgrounds
- Background verification required for student-facing roles
What We Offer
- Training in trauma-informed practices and program development
- Mentorship and support from our experienced team
- Certificate of volunteering and reference letters
- Skills and experience that strengthen your resume
- Potential pathway to paid roles or placements within SOSC or NavGurukul
- Connection to a meaningful mission and passionate community
- And yes, really good food
If you're wondering whether you're "qualified enough"—if this work resonates with you and you’re willing to learn with curiosity, you probably are. Come as you are, and we'll learn and grow together.
Email us at sosc@navgurukul.org for any questions or ideas!
