Support refugee and newcomer middle school students in fun, inclusive programs!

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THIS POST IS NOT AN APPLICATION. If you are interested, please apply here: https://www.pairhouston.org/volunteer-application

Mission: PAIR empowers refugee youth to become community leaders. Through mentoring, tutoring, college access, and leadership development programs, PAIR equips students with life and academic skills for success.

Purpose: Global Learners volunteers support the social-emotional learning and academic success of PAIR middle school students through mentoring, tutoring, and assisting with after school curriculum.

Responsibilities and Specific Duties:

• Support curriculum that includes academic enrichment, safety, cultural orientation, and social-emotional health and wellbeing
• Assist with activities like icebreakers, sports, and crafts
• Help with homework and English practice one-on-one or in small groups
• Play educational and English practice games with students
• Model positive behavior and monitor student interactions/behavior

Qualifications:

• Must be 16 or older and able to provide a valid government-issued photo ID (for some Learners programs, mentors must be high school graduates)
• Must pass background check and attend training (more details provided below)
• Must be willing and excited to actively engage with middle school students and different cultures
• Dependable with a positive and teachable attitude

Time Commitment:
Accepted applicants will be placed at a school site for the Spring 2024 semester (mid September through mid December; specific dates TBD). Volunteers commit to the same day each week, once a week. This will either be for a 2-hour after-school program starting at either 4 pm or 4:30 pm, or a shorter lunch program (10:30 am - 1 pm; mentees may arrange to stay for all or part of these lunch programs). Volunteers must also consider travel time to their respective school sites when making this commitment.

Volunteering Location:
This is an in-person volunteer opportunity that will take place at one of our middle school sites in southwest Houston. You will be notified where you are placed; it will be one of these locations: Jane Long Middle School, Las Americas Newcomers Middle School, Paul Revere Middle School, Welch Middle School, or Etoile Academy on Hornwood.

Training and Support Provided:
PAIR provides volunteer training for all mentors which includes an overview of refugees and U.S. resettlement; assets, strengths and challenges of refugee youth; mentoring skills for working with youth, newcomers, and English language learners; and an orientation to relevant school sites. You will be supervised by an on-site PAIR staff member and you may collaborate with other volunteers. Your school site will likely have a Site Leader to facilitate ongoing training and support. Staff is always here for support and any questions you may have.

Benefits:

• Exposure to new cultures; developing a greater appreciation for diversity and understanding of Houston’s refugee community
• Gain or improve skills such as mentoring, tutoring, working with youth, working with English language learners, and cultural competency; as well as communication, teamwork, and leadership skills
• Opportunities for volunteer leadership and internship roles with PAIR
• Personal growth and opportunity to have fun!

Application and Screening Procedures:
All mentors must complete these requirements before they are eligible to volunteer:

• Submit application here: Volunteer Application - PAIR Houston
• Complete and submit proof of VIPS background check/orientation within the above application (instructions and materials provided). Please note that returning mentors will not need to complete VIPS and training every semester, but they will at least once every academic year (once every two semesters).
• Attend mandatory volunteer training tentatively held at Rice University on Saturday September 14 from 10 am - 1:30 pm (will confirm the time)

It is highly recommended and preferred to attend the above training! You will gain more from this training AND will not have to schedule an alternative training with us!

Any volunteer that misses the in-person training will STILL be required to meet/train with staff or lead volunteers at an alternatively coordinated time. There will NOT be an asynchronous alternative training option this year.
Please plan to attend the original training if at all possible!

Contact Information:
Please contact Allison Hall, PAIR’s Community Engagement Manager, with any questions or concerns you may have about the application process or volunteering with PAIR:
allison@pairhouston.org