MYVA Youth Mentor

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Become a Youth Mentor with IRC Richmond and...

• Develop an enriching relationship with your mentee and participate in meaningful cultural exchange.
• Grow your knowledge of local community resources, academic institutions, and programs.
• Gain a basic understanding of the U.S. resettlement program and the services provided to refugees to promote integration and self-sufficiency.
• Receive support from a dedicated Youth Mentoring Specialist, IRC Office & Resources, a network of other mentors, and optional training opportunities throughout your volunteer experience.
• Get connected with other mentor/mentee pairs at regular MYVA events.

**We have a specific need for MALE volunteers at this time!


POSITION DESCRIPTION

Provide reliable and consistent support to a client aged 15-24 in making progress toward their goals for 6-12 months.

Each client’s story, personality, skills, background, and needs are unique, therefore each volunteer experience will be unique. In your work as a mentor, you will help your mentee to:

• Strengthen interpersonal and leadership skills and self-esteem
• Become an engaged member of their community through participation in civic and community service
• Receive academic support, including college application and achievement support
• Enhance career development skills and financial literacy skills

Connection to IRC Mission: Teach skills that encourage self-sufficiency in all areas for young adults aged 15-24

Location: In client’s home or nearby public spaces (library, coffee shop, local park, etc.)

Time Commitment: 1-2 hour meeting at least once monthly for a term of 6-12 months. Schedule will be determined based upon volunteer's and client's availability in the mentor & mentee’s first meeting.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Mentors must be at least 25 years old and are expected to have reliable transportation to get to meetings.

All mentors must:

• Complete IRC Volunteer Training (2 hours), Background Check, and MYVA Mentor Training (1 hour).
• Meet with mentee in person at least one time a month for a minimum of 6 months. If mentors need to reschedule a meeting, they are expected to notify their mentee at least 24 hours in advance.
• Document meetings via online form. This is the official documentation of services being provided to clients.
• Report volunteer hours by end of each month.
• Practice safeguarding. Mentors cannot be alone with clients under 18 years old without explicit written permission from the client's parent.
• Be responsive to communications from IRC staff. If mentors are unresponsive to IRC staff and/or fail to meet with their mentee, they will be removed from the program and their mentee will be matched with a new mentor.

• Be willing to navigate awkward interactions, especially at the beginning.
• Have an interest in working with young people new to the U.S. from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
• Be flexible, as last-minute changes are to be expected when working with clients.
• Experience with youth or multilingual learners preferred.
• Proficiency in client languages preferred: Dari, Pashto, Persian, Kinyarwanda, French.