Refugee Peer Mentor (Hybrid) (South King County) (Interview Required)

Our volunteer opportunity for UW students will deepen their understanding issues revolving around immigration and the challenges newly arrived refugees and immigrants face upon resettlement and integrating to living and working in the US. Becoming a mentor through our RYMP program will give volunteers the ability to build a relationship with a young adult (between 18 and 24) and guide them through important tailored life skill building. For example, searching for employment, applying to college and financial aid, tutoring, English practice, and beyond. I lead a Mentor Training with volunteers so they feel well equipped and supported prior stepping into the role as a mentor.

This position is flexible, to accommodate the busy schedules of our youth and volunteers, which allows creativity for how and when they decide to meet. We just ask that mentors attempt contact with their mentees virtually at least once per week and meet in person once per month, which could be at one of our monthly match events at various locations in the community. Some in the past have been a beach day at Angle Lake, MoPoP, Bainbridge Island, and the Aquarium.

As we have a high need for mentors in our program with the increasing number of our refugee youth needing individualized support, any folks with an eagerness to leave an impact and share their unique knowledge and experiences with the youth we serve would be greatly appreciated. With many of your students being around the same age as our clients, peer to peer mentor relationships will make it easier to share a level of common ground and find a sense of relatability as they are in a similar stage of life. Fostering a sense of confidence and empowerment within our youth through mentorship provides motivation through hardship they face as they work towards achieving goals and accomplishments that were once unthinkable to them. Sometimes it just takes someone saying “You are not alone. I am here to support you” to make a difference in a young person’s life.

Supervisor: Kailee Go (kailee@partnerinemployment.org)

Location: 19530 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188, Washington

Location Notes: Most of this opportunity will take place virtually. We do ask that mentors be willing to travel to South King County (Kent, Tukwila, SeaTac, Auburn, etc.) to meet with their mentee once a month. Transportation is a huge barrier for our clients, so being able to meet them closer to where they are is ideal and being able to pick them up as needed. We understand if it is a barrier for the UW students too, and the meetings can be virtual depending on the needs of our clients. We have monthly events, often closer to central Seattle neighborhoods and they can plan to meet their mentees in person during this activities.

Requirements:

• Must be 18 years old
• Other paperwork: Mentor Interest Form (initial inquiry) https://forms.office.com/r/R2EE3z13bK
• Background check required

Skills needed: 

• Ability to empathize and understand young people from different cultural backgrounds
• Nonjudgmental, with ability to take a developmental approach to working with a young person
• Sincere desire to be a consistent, supportive figure in the life of an immigrant youth
• Active, compassionate listening skills, especially with people whose first language is not English
• High need for people who speak any Afghan languages (Dari, Pashto, Farsi)
• Be at least 18 years old, with a valid driver’s license

Volunteer Screenings are as follows:

1. Initial Mentor Interest Form
2. 30-minute VIRTUAL interview
3. Online Mentor Application
4. Reference checks
5. VIRTUAL 1 hour Mentor Training (scheduled on a regular, weekly basis)
6. Background Checks
7. Facilitated Match Meeting (in-person ideally but can do virtual)