Refugee Youth Mentoring Program
The Youth Mentoring Program is focused on meeting the unique needs of youth ages 15-24 as they adapt to life in a new country. This includes gaining deeper insight into American culture, exploring and engaging with their new community, and achieving self-sufficiency. Mentors are paired with a mentee for 6 months and meet for a minimum of 8 hours per month to work on goals together.
The mentee sets their own goals based on their individual needs, and can utilize their mentor for educational support, career guidance, cultural learning, language practice, and friendship. Their mentors will receive personal fulfillment through helping someone mature, progress, and achieve goals, introduction to different world views and cultures, and deeper understanding of young adult and societal problems.
Becoming a mentor:
Mentors must be at least 18 years old, residing in/near Austin, and able to commit to the program for 8 hours/month for 6 months*. We welcome all applicants regardless of language or profession.
Mentor Roles & Expectations:
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Serve as a positive role model and friend
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Assist in cultural adjustment and learning about American culture
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Help the mentee identify and work towards their goals
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Plan and participate in activities or conversations together at least twice a month
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Build self-esteem and motivation
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Empower mentee to build skills to complete tasks on their own
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Check-in regularly with program coordinators and submit time sheets
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Demonstrate positive qualities, including being dependable, supportive, patient, flexible, and respectful of individual differences
Interested in becoming a mentor?
After an application is submitted, a program coordinator will be in touch to schedule a virtual interview. Once approved, mentors will complete both the RST General Volunteer Orientation and Mentor Training. These trainings are both online and self-paced. Mentors must also complete a $10 background check, and, if paired with a mentee under 18, get fingerprinted.
For a detailed timeline of mentorship, click HERE.
To apply to be a mentor, please click HERE.
Mentee Goals:
Each mentee chooses their own short and long-term goals that they would like to work on throughout the mentorship. If the mentee does not speak English, learning and practicing English will likely be the primary goal of the mentorship. The Program Coordinators will be available throughout the mentorship to offer guidance, support, or resources, and will check-in once a month to discuss successes, challenges, and make sure program goals are being met.
Click here to learn more about and see some of the most common goals our mentees set for themselves!
For more information about YMP please contact Kamilia Hrija, the Youth Mentoring Program Coordinator.
khrija@rstx.org, (737) 236-2688
*Due to COVID-19, the mentorship program is currently operating on a hybrid model, both virtually and in person. Mentors must live in the Austin area.
