Youth Programming Intern

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TITLE: Youth Programming Intern

LOCATION: Elizabeth, New Jersey

DURATION: 15-20 hours a week in person for 5 months

BACKGROUND: International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in more than 40 countries and over 20 U.S. cities, the IRC provides resettlement, education, and empowerment support to refugees and displaced people. Over the past eight years, the Refugee Youth Program at IRC NJ has developed partnerships with Union, Essex, and Hudson County public schools, community-based organizations, and local colleges and universities to support the positive development of refugee youth and their communities in New Jersey. The Refugee Youth Program provides year-round programming working directly with refugee youth, their parents and families, and their schools.

SCOPE OF WORK: The goal of the youth programs is to help recently arrived refugee and immigrant children, and youth adapt successfully to elementary, middle, and high schools and prepare for college, career, and beyond while meeting their short and long-term educational needs and supporting refugee youth’s social-emotional well-being and English language development.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The Youth Education Programs at the IRC in Elizabeth support newly arrived refugee and immigrant youth, their families, and their schools with the school adjustment process and preparation for college and beyond. Refugee Youth Program Interns will assist with a variety of support services and programs. The Youth Program Intern will assist the Youth Program Specialist with parent/student outreach, program design and implementation for afterschool programming such as Youth Mentoring, youth workshops, Empower Tutoring, Teen Service Days, and the Newcomer Youth Summer Academy (NYSA). Youth Program Interns will also provide related support services to youth and their families as needed.

Under the supervision of and with the support from the Youth Program Specialist, Interns will:
- Provide or secure interpretation services as needed to inform students and parents about youth programming details and related information.
- Input casenotes into IRC platforms.
- Create and translate flyers for youth programs.
- Translate flyers and documents needed for youth programs.
- Assist staff in welcoming, accompanying, and supporting students at after school youth programs.
- Participate in staff development and team meetings and workshops.
- Under the supervision of the Youth Program Specialist, assess and monitor family needs and make appropriate referrals.
- Complete related tasks and responsibilities assigned by the Youth Program Specialist.

Learning Objectives:
- The intern will learn about refugee resettlement issues and processes.
- The intern will develop outreach and advocacy skills.
- The intern will develop direct client service skills.
- The intern will develop program design and implementation skills.
- The intern will develop culturally responsive practice skills.

Requirements:
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor or Master Degree in Social Work, education, public health, or related fields.
- Experience working with children and youth along with parents specifically in the context of educational and social programs.
- Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations is highly desirable.
- Fluency in a second language preferred (i.e., Spanish, Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Farsi, Kiswahili, Haitian Creole and French
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Shows empathy, patience, cooperation, and interpersonal skills while working as a team and working with clients.
- Understand the need to approach and apply case management methods with the goal of client self-sufficiency and sustainability.
- Availability to commit 15-20 hours a week in person (2 days in person).

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.