VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Position Title: Youth Mentor

Program: “The Real Me” Identity-based Wraparound Intervention (IBWI)

The Centre for Newcomers is an Alberta leader in providing a variety of settlement, language training and employment readiness services to immigrants. Our mission is to achieve the integration of newcomers in the community, through services and initiatives that promote diversity, participation and citizenship. We make a positive difference in the lives of all Calgarians.

The Role: Working with youth can be both challenging and rewarding. Your role as a mentor will guide the youth to become their “ideal self”, appreciating the balance between their identity as a Canadian and their culture of origin.

Responsibilities include:

  • Partake in fun pro social activities as a means of relationship building
  • Actively listen to youth stories, celebrate success, validate concerns
  • Educate youth about cultural standards in relation to both their own ethnic background as well as Canadian culture
  • Engage youth in meaningful conversations related to the youth’s strengths, interests and hobbies
  • Be a positive role model and influence
  • Help youth build healthy relationships with friends, family and communities by setting a positive example
  • Help youth develop an understanding of self, build self-esteem and strong self-worth
  • In some situations, mentors can become a sustainable support, even after the formal process of mentorship through Real Me has subsided
  • Be an advocate on the youth’s behalf and support the youth’s ability to develop self-advocacy skills

Qualifications:

  • Active listener and good communicator
  • Patience and understanding
  • Dependable and trustworthy
  • Enjoys learning and teaching
  • Self-reflective and aware of personal values, beliefs and biases
  • Able to provide ideas and sound advice in a non-judgemental manner
  • A good communicator who can be both gentle and firm, depending on the needs of the individual
  • Intuitive and sensitive to the needs of marginalized youth
  • Open to sharing personal interests and passions
  • Have an understanding of the challenges and barriers present for at risk and immigrant youth
  • Have an understanding of the nuances of Canadian cultural expectations and/or your own personal ethnic cultural values, beliefs etc.
  • Be culturally competent

To apply, please forward your resume to:

Thank you for your interest.