Refugee Young Adult Mentoring

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Catholic Charities encourages everyone to join us in serving our community regardless of their religion, race, color, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, age, disability, or marital status. Catholic Charities’ volunteers serve the community without a religious or political agenda.

The Young Adult Mentor Program matches refugee youth between the ages of 15 and 24 with mentors in the community to assist them in achieving their educational and vocational goals. As a mentor, volunteers will act as an advocate and supporter for a young refugee navigating the transition between the educational and professional world while overcoming the challenges of adjusting to the life in the U.S. This program exists to provided one-on-one support for young refugees seeking to achieve specific academic, professional, and social goals. These goals can include, but are not limited to, high school completion, college readiness, career planning, or social-emotional support and guidance. This program is a unique opportunity to provide much-needed stability, support, cultural instruction, and empowerment, all of which are vital for future self-sufficiency and productive citizenship!

The tasks and responsibilities of this role include:

• Committing to build a supportive relationship with a refugee young adult
• Attending and actively participating in mentor orientation and pre-match training
• Meeting with the mentee at least once weekly to provide community, support, and educational or professional guidance
• Working with the mentee on goals laid out in the Mentee Service Plan
• Completing and submitting monthly activity logs
• Regularly communicating with the Refugee Youth Mentor Program Coordinator to check-in and follow up

Commitment:

• Mentors must meet with their mentees for at least one hour weekly, or 4-6 hours monthly
• The duration of each match is 6 months, after which the matches can be renewed or closed

Eligible mentors must:

• Be 21 or older
• Complete the mentor onboarding and training process, and pass all background checks
• Be non-judgmental, supportive, and encouraging
• Be willing (and excited!) to work with individuals from different cultural backgrounds

Foreign language skills are a plus, but not required!