Mentor

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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!