About the role: Youth mentors work with refugee youth ages 10-24 to provide support as they transition to the Baltimore region. Mentors focus on practicing English, completing homework, socialization activities and integration to the local community. Based on each mentee's needs and identified goals, mentoring pairs may do virtual visits to local parks, career development resources, libraries and museums.
Skills & Qualifications: The youth mentor must display an interest in supporting young people in their education and career goals, and helping to build positive social networks. Experience working in a multicultural setting or with English language learners is preferred, but not required. Mentors should display creativity and initiative to support the self-sufficiency and integration of clients, and be able to work independently. Volunteers with a special interest in education, career development, or exploring activities in Baltimore may be a good fit for the youth success mentor role.
Time Commitment: Mentors commit to completing a required training, background and reference check one month prior to the start of the mentorship cohort. Mentors commit to attending each weekly session for ten weeks on either Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 5:45-8:15pm. The session includes a short group activity and individual break-out rooms where mentors meet with mentees.
- Fall cohorts run on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from October to December.
- Spring cohorts run on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from February to April.
- Summer cohorts run on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from June to August.
Location: Mentorships currently take place remotely during a weekly session on Zoom. There may also be some in-person activities during each cohort. Mentors located in the Baltimore area are preferred.
How to Apply: All prospective volunteers must first attend one of our monthly information sessions: RSVP here. Following the session, prospective mentors will need to complete a youth success mentor training and an application and background check.
Read more from recent coaches and mentees: see Apoline's story and Ahmad's story!