Volunteer Mentor – Sidekicks Junior

RMCC empowers children and youth from refugee, migrant and asylum seeker backgrounds to create their own opportunities.

RMCC provides unique and tailored programs in our four focus areas of education, identity and belonging, life skills, and mental health and wellbeing in partnership and collaboration with the three key figures in each child’s life: their school, family and the wider community.

So far, RMCC has empowered over 800 kids across multiple programs throughout Melbourne’s West, and in 2020 our goal is to reach over 2000 kids in need.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Our Sidekicks Junior program provides educational and life skill development support to refugee, asylum seeker and migrant children between the ages of 5-12 years. Mentors support participants by: leading life skill workshops; practicing written and spoken English through activity sheets, reading and group activities; building confidence; and promoting social inclusion and cultural acceptance. Participants are also encouraged to bring along any homework they need assistance with.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide high quality mentoring to participants in a range of topics with emphasis on English language and literacy;
• Communicate effectively with participants by articulating clearly, selecting vocabulary, and assessing comprehension by varying methods;
• Listen actively and effectively in order to identify and solve problems, facilitate learning for students, and build participants’ confidence;
• Help guide students through their homework without doing the work for them;
• Acquire deeper understanding of mentoring techniques and be open to new ideas on how to help mentees;
• Build trusting relationships with children and identify when students require referrals to further support services.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

• Passionate about the mission of RMCC and creating change;
• Excellent written and spoken English;
• Self-motivated individual that can work both independently and in a team environment;
• Attend required training outside of Sidekicks Junior sessions and monthly team meetings;
• Current Working with Children Check or willingness to obtain one;
• Current National Police Check or willingness to obtain one;
• Able to volunteer between 3.00–5.00pm on Wednesdays in Footscray during school terms for a minimum of 6 months, with a minimum 80% attendance over the period.

APPLICATIONS

Email your resume and a little about yourself to volunteer@rmccaustralia.org.au. Please specify “Volunteer Mentor – Sidekicks Junior” in the subject line.