Purpose
POWIR mentors support newly arrived refugee families as they adjust to life in the United States. Mentors serve as guides, advocates, and consistent support, helping families navigate unfamiliar systems, build confidence, and work toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Build a trusting, respectful relationship with a refugee family
- Assist families in navigating systems such as education, healthcare, transportation, and community services
- Provide hands-on, practical guidance in day-to-day life
- Encourage independence while reinforcing self-advocacy
- Attend mentor orientation and complete required pre-match training
- Maintain consistent engagement with the family
- Check in with the assigned Program Coordinator on a bi-weekly basis to provide updates and receive guidance
- Submit volunteer hours and relevant updates
Examples of Mentorship Activities
- Support English language development through conversation and real-life practice
- Guide employable family members in job searching, applications, and basic financial planning
- Help families learn how to use and navigate public transportation systems
- Assist with community integration, including locating and accessing essential resources such as grocery stores, libraries, schools, and parks
- Help connect families with appropriate legal resources and support them in identifying or securing legal representation when needed
Qualifications
- Cultural humility and ability to work across language and cultural barriers
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Patience and a problem-solving mindset
- Reliability and consistency in engagement
- Commitment to empowering—not directing—families
Program Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Complete Volunteer Application, including background check
- Complete 6 hours of trauma-informed pre-match training
- Adhere to program guidelines, including maintaining appropriate boundaries with families
- Maintain open and consistent communication with program staff
- Meet with mentees weekly for at six months
Training & Support
Mentors will receive trauma-informed training designed to prepare them to work with individuals who may have experienced significant hardship. Training will also include clear guidance on maintaining appropriate boundaries to ensure a healthy and sustainable relationship for both the volunteers and the family. Ongoing support and supervision will be provided by program staff throughout the mentorship.
Commitment Expectations
POWIR mentors are expected to take an active, long-term role in supporting families. While there is no minimum hourly requirement, mentors should engage consistently and meaningfully, recognizing that trust-building and progress require ongoing involvement.
Benefits
Direct, hands-on experience supporting refugee resettlement and integration
Ongoing training, guidance, and supervision from POWIR program staff Access to tools and resources to support mentorship
Opportunity to build meaningful cross-cultural relationships
Ability to make a tangible, lasting impact on a family’s transition and success.
Catholic Charities encourages everyone to join us in serving our community regardless of their religion, race, color, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, age, disability, or marital status. Catholic Charities’ volunteers serve the community without a religious or political agenda.
