Mentors sought for youth from African Refugee Families

Nah We Yone, Inc. a not-for-profit serving the African refugee and asylum-seeking population of NYC is pleased to announce a one day a month volunteer opportunity to match young African children with caring adults in the NYC area.

Volunteers are needed to participate in a mentoring role as part of the monthly youth group project. Fun filled activities will happen in the African village style as part of a group setting but volunteers and mentees will also be able to have one-on-one activities as well.

African mentors are strongly encouraged to volunteer, particularly men, but this opportunity is open to any caring, responsible adult who has an interest in nurturing, teaching, having fun with and learning from youth. An awareness of issues relevant to the African community of NYC is a plus, not a requirement.

Volunteers are expected to fill out an application, have a phone interview then a face to face meeting with the coordinator prior to the first group meeting. Volunteers should be comfortable enough to work with ages 9-16 years of age. Activities happen all over New York City. The best volunteers are the ones who know how to engage youth in a fun and respectful way. There is an activity happening but there is a real value in a person who takes ownership of the activity and becomes a co-facilitator. Volunteers who are timely themselves and who are understanding about cultural norms around time work best with African families.