The goal of the Youth Mentoring Program is to help refugee youth (ages 15-24) bridge language and cultural barriers so they can excel in academics, graduate on time and plan for a college/career path. At its core, the YM program will assist participants with integration, civic engagement and provide opportunities for personal and academic development. Youth Counselor will provide direct services to refugee youth clients, including regular check-ins and service plan revisions, academic support and career readiness counseling and additional youth-centric support as necessary.

Main duties include:

Connect youth participants with tutors and tutorial sessions which can provide support in the chosen subject areas.

Support youth participants to explore their academic strengths and interest area.

Provide counseling on the array of higher education and VT possibilities and resources that could be beneficial to the youth on their pathway towards achieving their goals..

Communicate regularly with YM program staff.

Work closely with volunteer tutors.

Discuss mentoring activities, relationship concerns, and satisfaction with mentors, mentees and parents.

Collaborate closely with youth participants to regularly review service plans, identify new needs, as well as progress toward goals.

Document client progress towards meeting goals in the client progress notes.

Keep accurate records and collect data on clients according to program requirements.

Refer participants and their families to community services such as ESL classes, social services and assist eligible clients in accessing comprehensive services and resources from Workforce Solutions and other appropriate service providers.

Attend pre-service trainings and orientations as well as other appropriate trainings.

Help students learn more about high skills/high growth industries and career opportunities through group campus visits, job site visits, and visits to Workforce Solutions Career Centers.

Act as a mentor for clients, form a meaningful relationship with client, as well as serve as a role model or guide for academic, social and professional endeavors.

Assist students with applying for Workforce Solutions and academic scholarships.

Follow-up with participants who have graduated high school to provide ongoing mentorship as they make progress toward a certificate or degree in a high-skills, high-growth area.

Qualifications:

She/he should be able to work well with high school students, as well as adults. This individual must be reliable, punctual and have dependable transportation to and from the high school campus and service sites. Bilingual skills are required. All applicants must be able to pass a background check.

Must have a commitment to humanitarian issues, particularly as related to refugees, immigrants and marginalized populations.

Other Required Qualifications and experience at this Level

Fluency in Swahili required.

College Diploma or equivalent experience.

Maintain open and direct communications with YM Collaborative partners.

Fluency in English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Experience working with women’s issues is a plus.

Experience in social work or case management.

High degree of independent judgment, flexibility and problem-solving skills.

Must have a valid driver’s license, automobile liability insurance and knowledge of the city.

Some evenings or weekends may be required.