FIRM is one of 12 California organizations to receive a Youth Mentoring Project grant through the California Department of Social Services, Immigration and Refugee Programs Branch. FIRM is the only organization receiving a grant in the Central Valley.
FIRM’s program will target 20 Syrian refugee youth, aged 15 to 24 years, and focus on pairing the youth with a mentor for a program of life skills and youth driven goal planning. The program objective is to provide youth the opportunity to identify and prioritize goals that will support their integration while also developing positive and meaningful relationships with empathetic and culturally responsive mentors.
The total grant amount of $59,000 will support the program for one year. Adult mentors will be identified by September, and start meeting with youth in October.
A total of 20 adult volunteer mentors are needed for this program. Mentors should plan on committing two hours, two times per month (for a total of four hours per month). No special skills are required, except the willingness to interact with the youth, and training will be provided. If you’re interested in exploring applying as a mentor, please register as a FIRM volunteer here, and indicate that you’re interested in “Refugee Youth Mentoring Program”. This will put you on the email list to receive more information about the program and about applying as a volunteer mentor.