Newcomer Youth Summer Academy Peer Mentor (unpaid)

International Rescue Committee - Elizabeth, NJ

Part-time - Intern

Elizabeth, NJ

Social Assistance

About the position

The Newcomer Youth Summer Academy Peer Mentor will play a vital role in supporting refugee youth in a summer program focused on English as a Second Language (ESL) enrichment. This part-time, unpaid position involves collaborating with teachers to create a positive learning environment for students aged 5 to 20 from diverse backgrounds. Peer Mentors will assist in classroom activities, provide tutoring, and help facilitate recreational activities, ensuring that students feel supported and engaged throughout the program.

Responsibilities

• Model appropriate student behavior and academic engagement
• Assist classroom staff with daily activities and lessons
• Tutor students individually or in small groups
• Supervise daily student meals and student arrival/dismissal
• Chaperone small groups during off-site field trips
• Act as a positive role model for students
• Assist teachers with classroom management
• Promote student engagement in recreational activities
• Participate in daily all-staff debriefings
• Assist with daily operations including student arrival and dismissal
• Participate in staff and volunteer training
• Provide feedback on student growth and complete evaluation forms
• Comply with agency policies and protocols

Requirements

• Must be available for all training days and the entire duration of the program
• Working toward high school diploma, GED, or college degree
• Minimum age: rising high school senior
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations preferred
• Experience working with youth of diverse backgrounds preferred
• Tutoring experience highly desirable
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Cultural competence and cross-cultural experience desirable
• Knowledge of classroom procedures and health and safety precautions desirable
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Motivated, self-directed, mature, reliable, flexible, and punctual
• Second language proficiency desirable (including Spanish, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Arabic, Haitian Creole)

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations
• Experience working with youth of diverse backgrounds
• Tutoring experience
• Cultural competence and cross-cultural experience
• Second language proficiency in relevant languages

Benefits

• Lunches provided for the duration of the program