Parent & School Outreach Intern (Unpaid)
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. Parent & School Outreach Intern will assist with outreach to parents and schools in order to assist with facilitating and organizing Parent Portal workshops. Parent Portal Workshops are a place where parents can learn their account login information and learn how to navigate the portal in order to access important documents and see student(s) academic progress.
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 school specific information and educational resources and related information.
- Input casenotes into IRC platforms.
- Assist and lead school orientation presentations to parents/students.
- Research and compile specific school information for parents to keep and reference during school orientation presentations and throughout the school year.
- 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 especially K-12 education registration and accessing educational services.
- The intern will develop outreach and advocacy skills.
- The intern will develop direct client service skills.
- The intern will develop culturally responsive practice skills.
Qualifications 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.
IRC, leading the way From Harm to Home.