Youth Programs Intern

Background: 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 45 countries and 29 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home. Domestically, our 29 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

Scope of Work: The intern will support the IRC’s In-School Youth Services, focusing on the Refugee Empowerment Program (REP) Mentoring initiative, school enrollments, and family casework. Interns are required to be on school campuses at least two afternoons per week to assist with the delivery of the REP Mentoring curriculum. REP Mentoring is a 10-week after-school program for high school-aged refugee youth, hosted on campuses across the Sacramento region. Sessions are 90 minutes long, held once a week, and structured to provide a safe, healing environment where participants connect with peers who have shared similar experiences. The curriculum helps youth develop critical life skills for thriving in the U.S., such as understanding the U.S. school system, navigating extracurricular opportunities, exploring career options, and cultural diversity, and preparing for college applications.

Responsibilities:

• Student-centered mentoring:
  • Meet with a small “Mentor Group” of 2-5 youth for 30 minutes each week to review curriculum;
  • Develop a goal map with each youth in the Mentor Group; Review goal maps weekly with youth and connect curriculum to goal maps to create action steps;
  • Support the creation of a safe and healing learning environment in which youth can learn and grow;
• Collect eligibility documentation from students and families;
• Complete eligibility verifications and enrollments through online systems;
• Maintain attendance records and family contact logs in IRC’s database;
• Provide timely communication to participants and caregivers about program logistics;
• Coordinate with school personnel regarding services and available resources;
• Research and document community resources for the IRC’s Youth Resource Hub.

Requirements:

• Required to be available two afternoons a week (Monday – Thursday) from 3-6pm, other hours are flexible;
• Completion of high school or college in the US and/or currently enrolled in college;
• Experience designing and delivering student-centered instruction, including experiential assignments and exercises;
• Willingness and ability to be present at school sites throughout the Sacramento region;
• Must provide results from, or be willing to take (IRC to cover cost), a TB skin test completed in the last 5 years- required to be on school-sites;
• Must be willing to complete DOJ Live Scans (IRC to cover cost) required to be on school-sites;
• Must commit to at least 15 hours a week and be available during REP Mentoring times (typically, between 3 and 6 PM at least two days per week);
• Experience, academic need and/or personal interest in instructing and mentoring of multi-national, -ethnic, and –cultural groups of students between 14-18 years of age (preferred);
• Experience, academic need and/or personal interest in supporting new arrivals to better understand the US education system (preferred).

Standard of Professional Conduct

The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

TO APPLY: Complete an online application at https://x.gldn.io/e/AABWtXY9q0b. Please submit a cover letter (including desired position, availability and motivation for applying) and resume. You will be contacted for a virtual initial interview and next steps. All volunteer and internships are part-time, unpaid positions and require a background check.

If your school requires any documentation or agreement for a volunteer or internship position, please reach out to GetInvolvedIRCSacramento@rescue.org prior to the initial interview.