The IRC in Abilene works diligently with refugee families upon arrival to help them learn US customs and culture as well as systems in the US that are new to refugee clients. Often, it can be difficult for refugee clients to learn US culture in a classroom setting. Through mentorships, IRC clients can have a friend to help them learn things like English, US culture, how to shop at US grocery stores, etc. Mentoring a refugee family/youth is a great opportunity for cultural exchange for both the mentor and mentee.
Location: Various locations in the Abilene area.
Time Commitment: At least 6 months with a minimum of 2 hours a week.
Duties:
- Help mentee(s) learn to take public transportation, access community resources, find culturally appropriate foods, access public libraries, etc.
- Serve as a first friend, cultural mentor and advocate.
- Focus on activities geared towards achieving self-sufficiency and English acquisition.
Ready to start?
Email [email protected] to learn the next steps in becoming a Family Mentor.