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 resettlement offices across the country ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency through English language classes, job training and placement services, assistance with various immigration services, youth programming and community participation activities.
SCOPE OF VOLUNTEER WORK: The Summer Youth Intern helps newly arrived refugee youth transition to the US school system through the IRC’s Newcomer School Readiness Program. In the summer of 2011, the IRC in Seattle/SeaTac will offer a 7 week summer program for recently arrived refugee youth. Classes will be held in the mornings and will include activities aimed at orienting newly arrived refugee youth to the classroom in the US. Under the direction of the IRC Summer Youth Coordinator, interns will facilitate activities that focus on learning English, school behavior, and explanations of general rules and safety. The program also works to orient our students to their new neighborhood by taking them on walking field trips and planning outdoor activities. Internship positions are also available in the afternoons with our project partner the Community Schools Collaboration.
LOCATION: The program is held at Foster High School in the Tukwila School District, Monday-Thursday from 8:30am – 1:00pm.
TIME COMMITMENT: 2 days a week, 8-10 hrs/week (regular schedule required), beginning end of June and continuing through mid-August
ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS: . Provide orientations to newly arrived refugee youth . Support Summer Youth Coordinator by assisting with classroom activities . Plan classroom activities as directed by Summer Youth Coordinator . Provide assistance in administering pre and post assessment . Help escort youth from their apartments in the morning . Help with set-up and clean-up of classroom on a daily basis . Help plan field trips . Help plan end of the summer celebration
REQUIREMENTS: . Must be culturally sensitive and able (or willing to try) to understand limited English speakers . Willing to adhere to IRC volunteer and workplace policies . Previous experience working with youth, comfortable leading activities, managing groups and supervising children . Ability to communicate clearly, effectively and articulately in English; additional fluency in a refugee language helpful . Must be fun, energetic, and flexible
Note: It may be possible to obtain school credit for this internship, depending on your school policies and requirements. If this is desired, please mention it when applying.
If you are interested in this internship opportunity, please email the IRC for more information on the application process at Seattle@rescue.org with position title in the subject line. We look forward to hearing from you!
Adrienne Ramm | Community Relations & Development AmeriCorps*VISTA International Rescue Committee – Refugee Support Network
100 South King Street, Suite 570, Seattle, WA 98104-2885 T +1 206 623 2105 | Rescue.org/Seattle | Facebook.com/IRCSeattle
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