Thank you for your interest in assisting refugees and asylees in our community. By volunteering with the IRC San Jose, you can share your unique experience and skills directly with IRC clients. Volunteer support is an integral part of the IRC's mission to provide opportunities for refugees to thrive in San Jose. The BRIDGE Youth Program is a youth mentoring program that pairs refugee youth aged 15-24 with members of their community that support their academic, professional, and community development in their new homes. This position reports to the Youth Connections Coach.
· Start Date: Rolling
· Responsibilities:
o Mentor 1-3 program participants at a time
o Hold regular meetings and encourage youth through program requirements and activities
o Assist youth with goal-setting, homework help, tutoring, fostering participation in school programs and extracurricular activities, facilitating family-school involvement, providing job readiness, and engaging in other activities that promote wellbeing and integration
o Submit progress reports to the Youth Connections Coach
o Serve as a liaison between IRC staff, youth and their families
· Required Skills
- Mentors must be at least 25 years of age
o Experience working directly with youth aged 15-24
o Familiarity with the public school system, including K-12 and community colleges
o Culturally competent with experience working with people from diverse backgrounds
o Second language encouraged but not required (Tigrinya, Amharic, Farsi, Dari, Arabic, Spanish, etc.)
o Time Commitment: 2 meetings per month per mentee for the 10-month program duration (no exceptions)
· Rewards:
o Learn how to effectively teach and educate youth from low-income and diverse backgrounds
o Help a young refugee reach their full potential
o Play an integral role in a young refugee’s life and development
o Learn about IRC’s services to refugees from many different backgrounds and how best to assist them in their resettlement in the U.S.
o Help refugees feel welcomed in their new home and prepared for their new life
APPLICATION PROCESS:
o Apply: https://rescueglobal.secure.force.com/volunteer/
o Complete a phone screening with the Volunteer Coordination Team
o Complete a Department Interview with department(s) of interest
o Pass a background check ($40 fee)
o Pass a LiveScan (Fee varies, but is reimburseable, with receipt of cost)
o Complete orientation and submit requested paperwork
o Begin your service!