Mentor Refugee Youth one-on-one in Global Scholars Program

IMPORTANT: Please note that this post is not an application. If you are interested in the position after reading through the below description and requirements, please follow the listed application instructions and link. Thank you!

Mission: PAIR empowers refugee youth to become community leaders. Through mentoring, tutoring, college access, and leadership development programs, PAIR equips students with life and academic skills for success.

Purpose: Support an 11th or 12th grade refugee student and their academic success by mentoring them with a focus on graduating from high school, exploring careers, and applying for post-secondary education opportunities.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Commits to building a supportive relationship with a refugee student
• Completes and submits activity log within 24 hours after each contact with mentee
• Maintains regular contact and follow-up with Program Manager or Program Coordinator to provide program feedback and communicate progress, issues, and successes
• Utilizes PAIR guidance materials and strives to achieve program objectives
• Utilizes PAIR’s resource list to connect student with additional community and educational resources to meet student needs as they are identified
• Attend ongoing mentor training as needed (more details below)

Qualifications

• 21 years of age or older
• Attend training and complete background check (more details below)
• Access to a vehicle, auto insurance, and a good driving record
• Sincere interest in being a supportive figure in the life of a young refugee
• Ability to empathize with young people from different backgrounds, and take a non-judgmental and developmental approach in working with them
• Active listening skills
• Flexibility and reliability
• Willingness to adhere to all program policies and procedures
• Preferred: experience working with youth and/or international populations

Time Commitment

Mentors must be dedicated to being a consistent presence for the duration of the program, a one-year relationship commitment with the mentee.

• Program dates are from August 2024 - July 2025
• Mentor for a minimum of 6 hours per month, meeting in-person with mentee at least half of that time.
• Given the scale of needs specific to refugees, mentors should expect to spend 6-10 hours per month in person with the mentee to fully achieve program goals.
• Note about additional mentoring in the summer months: For 12th grade students, this time is to support their transition to post-secondary education. For 11th grade students, this time will serve as a bridge to their next mentors. If assigned to a mentee in 11th grade, the mentor will be eligible to continue in the following school year with approval from the mentee and Senior Program Manager.

Volunteering Location:

Mentors MUST be able to travel to the Gulfton/Sharpstown area of Southwest Houston AT LEAST twice a month.

Each mentor-mentee pair will arrange the time and location of their meetings. Meetings will include visits at the student’s home and with the student’s parent(s), and may include other family members in the student’s environment.

Training and Support Provided:

All mentors must attend and actively participate in a mandatory in-person orientation and training session. This training will include an overview of refugees and U.S. resettlement as well as assets, strengths and challenges of refugee youth. Accepted mentors must also attend ongoing in-person or virtual mentor training as needed, including at least 1 mentor group meeting/event per semester. PAIR staff and curriculum resources are available to support and facilitate successful mentor-mentee relationships, including a curriculum with structured activities and strategies for college access.

Benefits

• Exposure to new cultures; developing a greater appreciation for diversity and understanding of Houston’s refugee community
• Will receive orientation, training, resources, and ongoing support from PAIR staff that include: an overview of refugees and U.S. resettlement; assets, strengths and challenges of refugee youth; leadership, communication, and other mentoring skills; and a curriculum with structured activities and strategies for college access
• Personal growth and opportunity to have fun

Application and Screening Procedures:

• Submit application here: Global Scholars Volunteer Application — PAIR Houston 
• Interview and three reference checks must be provided and completed
• Sterling Background Check must be completed through PAIR after initial screening  

Contact Information:

Please contact Allison Hall, PAIR’s Community Engagement Manager, with any questions or concerns you may have about the application process or volunteering with PAIR:

allison@pairhouston.org

(713) 771-1111 (PAIR Office)