Jewish Family & Children’s Service Refugee Services Department is seeking Refugee Mentors

 

Purpose:

To be a resource to clients on employment and financial literacy skills and to cultivate a positive relationship with the client

 

Qualifications: 

Strong interest in helping people from different culture

Awareness of and sensitive to cultural differences

Comfort working with non- or limited English speakers

Belief in empowering individuals to learn to do for themselves

 

Responsibilities:

Focus on core issue, can include, but not limited to:

Assisting with the job search process

English language practice

Practicing basic job skills

Working on financial literacy

Explore educational or cultural places in Pittsburgh

Respond to questions and concerns

 

Time Commitment:

1 hour per week or every other week for minimum of 4 months.

 

Training required:

Orientation with volunteer program staff (~ 60 minutes)

Read through community backgrounders

 

Expectations:

Maintain client confidentiality

Exhibit professionalism at all times

Regular staff communication

Reliability

 

Purpose:

To provide refugees with an American friend to be a resource for employment, financial, and cultural questions other than their case manager and employment specialist.

 

Matching:

Mentors and mentees will be matched up based on interests, client’s needs, and availability

 

Initial Meeting:

The initial meeting will take place at JFCS or the library downtown. The volunteer will be introduced to their mentee, and a regular meeting place and time will be determined. The mentor and mentee will discuss what topic the mentee would like help with.  An interpreter will be present if necessary.

 

Following Meetings:

Mentor and mentee will meet at their regular meeting spot. If the mentor and mentee choose, they can change meeting spots weekly or bi-weekly to explore Pittsburgh.  They will try to maintain the same time each week. An interpreter will not be at the following meetings.

 

Benefits:

Personal gratification of helping to acculturate refugees

Experience in adult learning

Better understanding of the refugee experience

 

Transportation:

Car necessary at some sites; bus availability at others

Street parking at each site

 

For More Information, Contact Jill Fronk, Volunteer Coordinator, jfronk@jfcspgh.org

 

JF&CS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, marital status, veteran or handicapped status.

 

JF&CS REFUGEE PROGRAM MISSION:

To help refugees begin to rebuild their lives in the Pittsburgh region, achieving economic self-sufficiency and the skills to independently manage their daily lives, through the provision of resettlement, case management, employment and support services in partnership with area providers, community groups and volunteers.

 

JF&CS AGENCY MISSION:

Jewish Family & Children’s Service exists to improve the quality of life of individuals and families in the Jewish and general communities through the provision of psychological, employment and social services.