Summer 2024: Refugee Youth and Education Program Internship (Unpaid) – IRC jobs in the USA

• Location: USA
• Vacancy No: N/A 
• Salary: N/A
• Organization: IRC
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-04-30

Job Description

*Please note: this is an unpaid internship* 

This position’s target start date is June 10, 2024. Applications for this internship will be accepted through April 30, 2024. 

IRC IN SAN DIEGO BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading organization providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression throughout the U.S. IRC in San Diego has resettled over 31,000 refugees to San Diego County over the past 48 years and provides numerous program services. In San Diego, the IRC opened its doors in 1975 and has grown to serve approximately 7,000 refugee and immigrant individuals from 115 countries of origin each year through 5 different departments.  Additionally, the IRC in San Diego has been running the Refugee Education Acculturation Civic Engagement and Health (REACH) Youth Programs since 1996, supporting over 500 refugee youth each year in achieving academic success and transitioning to higher education or career paths. 

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW: Empower newcomer high school youth to enhance their English language and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills through diverse and engaging activities, including sports, team-building games, arts and crafts, and acculturation field trips aimed at fostering holistic student development! 

Please note this internship is required in-person in San Diego, CA. 

SCOPE OF INTERN WORK: In this internship, students will have the opportunity to contribute to the Asylum Seekers and Families program as well as Survivor Advocacy Services through community engagement and outreach as well as by supporting case management.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the Youth Department Staff with program documentation and data collection 
• Support youth program development, including facilitating sports, team-building, arts and crafts, English language learning, and social-emotional skill-building activities 
• Lead group activities as appropriate 
• Provide one-on-one support to students as needed 
• Foster positive relationships with students, serving as a student role model 
• Supervise field trips 
• Practice cultural humility 
• NOTE: Interns must be prepared to handle diverse tasks to support student needs and academic requirements. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Interns will focus on supporting refugee and immigrant youth in developing social-emotional assets in Brain Building, Emotion Regulation, Positive Social Skills, Conflict Resolution, and Perseverance. Learning objectives include: 

• Lead engaging Social Emotional Learning and English Language Learning activities using trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches. 
• Gain understanding of refugee and immigrant challenges and the support systems contributing to their success. 
• Provide essential program management support, such as outreach, data entry, and lesson planning. 
• Develop professional skills and network with IRC staff. 

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or certificate program 
• Reside in San Diego, CA, and able to fulfill all required in-person work 
• Have reliable transportation 
• Able to commit a minimum of 20 weekly hours, Monday through Friday, based on school site assignment 
• Available for the entirety of the internship 
• Previous experience with youth, refugees, and/or English Language Learners aged 14-18 is advantageous 
• Experience in a diverse, multicultural setting is a plus 
• For driving roles: valid driver’s license, insurance, and access to a safe vehicle 
• Youth Internships are contingent upon successful clearance of IRC background checks and live scan  
• Diverse volunteers and multilingual speakers (e.g., Pashto, Farsi, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Spanish) are encouraged to apply 
• Time Commitment: June 10th, 2024 – August 16th, 2024 (minimum of 20 hours per week, M-F)

This position reports to the REACH Youth and Family Services Coordinator Coordinator.  

Compensation: This is an unpaid internship opportunity.

Working Environment: 

• The Refugee Youth and Education Program Internship is in-person at the San Diego office.
• San Diego Office hours are scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm PST. Selected interns can choose their hours (minimum 20 hours/week) based on this window of availability.  

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures. 

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