Volunteer
Onboarding Check List
All volunteers are expected to participate in an orientation and training session just prior to working with students. This session will review YMP Program goals, introduce you to our staff, and highlight critical program resources.
Please register for your virtual Orientation & Training session below.
Orientation & Training
Schedule an interview
Our staff will invite you to schedule an interview with us over video chat, using Zoom. This will provide an opportunity for us to get to know you better, provide you with more information about the program, and address any questions you may have.
Provide Supplemental Documents
Once your background check result comes in and is cleared by our team, we ask you to complete a few different forms and provide us with some additional documents.
These include our Volunteer Participation Waiver, Mentor Commitment Pledge, as well as a headshot to help various members of our team put a face to your name for internal use. Volunteers who will serve in a transport role will be asked to provide a copy of their driver's license and proof of auto insurance.
Virtual Mentor
Learning Lab Mentor
Please complete the forms below that are relevant to your role as indicated:
Volunteer Participation Waiver: Adults (18+) | Youth (18 and under)
Paperwork should be submitted within 1 week of receiving the request.
Complete an application
Complete our easy online application here. You will see a confirmation upon submission to verify it was received by our team.
Clear a background check
All volunteers over 18 years of age interacting with youth will be required to complete and clear a background check for the safety of our clients. If you have any concerns around your record we encourage you to self disclose and consult with our staff prior to conducting the check. If you have an existing FBI/BCI background check that was conducted within the last year, we may be able to accept those.
Our organization typically covers the cost of background checks, however we do offer you the opportunity to donate to help us cover the cost of that check (in part or in full). Background checks cost us an average of $65 per volunteer and are one of the biggest expenses we incur to keep the program running. Any donations to help us cover these costs are greatly appreciated and allow us to stretch our existing resources even further.
Our staff will contact you by email with detailed information, locations, and required forms to proceed with the background check process at our preferred providers. Results are usually available within 2-3 weeks and are sent directly to our office.
Please proceed with scheduling your background check as soon as possible after receiving the email from our staff to provide sufficient processing time.
Review Program Policy Handbook
Please review the Youth Mentoring Program Policy Handbook cover to cover.
This Handbook covers important safety protocols, best practices, and procedures for engaging appropriately with client youth and as a member of the Refugee Response community during your time in the program.
Complete the Comprehension Exercise to demonstrate understanding.
Sign the Policy Handbook Agreement.
Once you have cleared all the previous steps, our staff will reach out to you to confirm you are ready to begin your volunteer assignment, and share details around your confirmed weekly schedule/shift and start date. By this stage, our team will have selected a student match for you and will prepare a few details about your student match to share with you.
Program Launch
QUESTIONS?
We're here to help.
If you have any questions about the Mentor enrollment process or requirements, please reach out to Kate for guidance.
Kate Nickley
Youth Mentoring Program Manager