Program Purpose:
The purpose of the program is to match refugee youth (15-24 years old) with mentors, who will support their successful integration, promote educational and vocational advancement, and help them thrive with positive civic and social engagement. Mentor Role: To act as a motivator, role model, guide, culture broker, and support for newly arrived youth.
Duties:
- Shares personal educational and professional journey with youth
- Works with mentee to reach set goals through mentoring sessions and phone check-ins
- Help youth practice their English speaking, reading, and writing skills
- Meets in person with mentee at least twice a month
- Provides updates to program staff on youth’s progress
- Engages in at least one social activity with mentee to facilitate acculturation
- Engages youth’s family whenever possible
- Participates in ongoing mentor training and check-ins to gather feedback and evaluate program
Length of Commitment:
- Minimum of 4 months (to include orientation and a minimum of 12 mentoring sessions
Requirements:
- Complete online volunteer application and child abuse prevention training (approx. 45 minutes)
- Clear background check; if mentoring youth under 18 years old, fingerprints are also required
- Participate in phone interview (approx. 60 minutes)
- Participate in pre-recorded training and pre-match interactive cultural humility workshop (virtual or in person depending on number of applicants at the time and availability)
Qualifications: Working with refugee youth requires a great deal of empathy and care. As a mentor, it is essential for mentors to take the time to listen—to really hear the experiences, hopes and challenges that each young mentee faces. To ask questions and encourage conversation, be nonjudgmental, patient, persistent, have the ability to take a developmental approach to working with them, and understand that the mentoring relationship is a two-way learning process.
Benefits:
- Exposure to new cultures
- Ongoing training and support from program
- Opportunity to actively increase emotional intelligence (self-awareness, self-management, empathy, and relationship management)
- Strengthen our nation’s future
- Opportunity to have fun, develop new appreciation for diversity, and make a difference in the life of a refugee youth!
Contact: Darlean.Lewis@ymcahouston.org
