Youth Mentoring Intern (Fall 2024)

Background: 
Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. Domestically, our 22 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency. 

Scope of Role: The MYVA Mentoring program pairs 15-24 year old youth clients with a volunteer mentor who can help them achieve their educational, career, and social goals. We provide our clients with additional opportunities including individualized support, field trips, college tours, workshops, and volunteer opportunities. The Youth Mentoring intern will assist the Youth Mentoring Specialist with the planning and implementation of events and activities for MYVA youth as well as other day to day tasks to help the program grow and thrive.

Learning Objectives:

The Youth Mentoring Intern will:

• ·Gain experience working with youth and young adults in a multicultural environment
• ·Learn about youth mentoring and best practices for managing a mentoring program and creating partnerships within the community
• ·Develop skills in creating engaging and relevant programing for youth
• ·Learn about the IRC locally and globally, the available services to refugees and ORR-eligible clients in Richmond, Virginia.

Responsibilities:

·Assist the Youth Mentoring Specialist with MYVA tasks such as:

oAssist in planning and implementing programming for youth including workshops, events, college tours, field trips, and other events as needed

oFind and facilitate potential partnerships with volunteer opportunities for MYVA youth needing to reach their MYVA volunteer requirement

oCollege application support for high school seniors planning to go to college next year

oIndividual case management as needed including to ensure that all mentees and mentors are fulfilling the requirements of the program

·Adhere to IRC policies, particularly those related to confidentiality and client privacy, and practice sensitivity to cultural and personality differences of clients by respecting their beliefs and values. 

·Other support as needed

Minimum Qualifications:

• ·Undergraduate or graduate level studies in education, social work, international relations, social sciences, or related field preferred.
• ·Cultural awareness of and sensitivity to vulnerable populations, and a desire to help refugees adjust to life in the U.S.
• ·Proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, Canva, and other digital platforms required
• ·Background in education or experience working with youth formally or informally
• ·Creativity, patience, understanding, and flexibility
• ·Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
• ·Effective communication skills, especially in a multicultural environment and with community partners
• ·Engaged in learning about the IRC (mission, philosophy, global work, and local efforts) and willing to adhere to IRC volunteer and workplace policies
• ·Proficiency in more than one language preferred but not required (especially Dari, Pashto, Arabic, Spanish, and Kinyarwanda)

This position is unpaid and reports to the Youth Mentoring Specialist

*The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlines in the IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.