Mentor Guide for High School Youth Program

The Dream Program•Plainfield, VT

About The Position

Interested in making an impact in the lives of high school and elementary aged youth? Join DREAM’s Guided Mentoring program and become an influential figure in the lives of youth. As a Mentor Guide in this two-tiered, cross-age Mentor-in-Training program you help provide high school students with the tools, resources, and confidence to provide mentorship to elementary school-aged youth. The Experience of Service as a Mentor Guide: In collaboration with the Guided Mentoring team, you will focus on engaging and supporting around 5-10 high school mentors in the curriculum and practices of the Guided Mentoring program. You will help plan and facilitate lessons and activities which are fun, play-based, and help youth dream big. These activities will be delivered through weekly school day classroom programming and/or afterschool programming, as well as occasional out of school time adventure experiences. Our objectives include helping to prepare high school youth to have effective, impactful mentorship relationships with elementary age youth, and provide opportunities for them to strengthen and expand their sense of place, identity, and meaning and purpose. Various options for hours of service are available, you can find specific details under the Compensation and AmeriCorps Benefits section of this job description. Flexibility exists in the breadth and depth of the Mentor Guide’s role and responsibilities which will be determined in partnership with the regional manager and school personnel partners. When applicable, you will also assist with planning and activities for Summer, weekends, and other times that are carried out during our “out of school hours” that are created to maintain relationships and expand horizons.

Requirements

Commitment to the entire service term.
Commitment to the mission of AmeriCorps and DREAM.
Desire to enhance existing skills and develop new skills necessary for service.
Commitment to serve as a role model for youth.
A passion for supporting the ongoing work of creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all youth.
A dedicated personal, off site, non DREAM supported space for work, with: An internet connection capable of easily handling Google Workspace apps and specifically, a Google Meet. Access to resources necessary to support your remote work/service experience (electrical power outlet to keep devices charged, reliable wifi connection that can connect with our cloud-based softwares).
Ability to regularly meet in person with your team or your service assignment in their assigned location (including responsibility for transportation to and from).
Access to a reliable phone.
To be an AmeriCorps member you MUST be 17 years or older and be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident

Nice To Haves

Valid driver's license and insurance
High School Diploma, Post Secondary Education Certification or Training and/or College Coursework
18+ years old with a clean driving record
Youth one-on-one and group facilitation experience
Interest and investment in youth development
Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
Commitment to holding unconditional positive regard for DREAM you
Willingness to obtain certification and transport students in DREAM’s 15 passenger van. This requires being 19 years old and having had your license for at least 2 years.
If possible, we would like individuals to be able to serve two years in the program (not required).

Responsibilities

Create powerful, developmentally appropriate mentoring relationships with high school mentor groups and individual high school mentors.
Attend weekly programming sessions with mentors and mentees.
Foster a bonded, positive, and supportive community of high school aged mentors and elementary aged mentees.
Ensure thoughtful and thorough curriculum lessons and activities, based on DREAM’s Guided Mentoring curriculum , incorporation of the Search Institute’s Developmental Relationships Framework , and Mentor’s Elements of Effective Practice and formal reflection assessments. These will help each high school mentor to be prepared, trained and ready to provide a safe and culturally appropriate experience to elementary school aged mentees.
Ensure, primarily through curriculum lessons, activities, and reflections, that high school mentors have a strong understanding of the four curricular themes: mentoring, identity, sense of place, and meaning & purpose.
Facilitate development of high school mentors’ organizational and time management skills.
Communicate with mentors weekly.
Help ensure that thorough communications and dialogue with DREAM youth and their families support them in having agency and influence over their DREAM experience.
Contribute to building connections and relationships with parents and community partners.

Benefits

A living stipend is provided to you in biweekly payments.
The stipend amount is dependent upon your weekly hours commitment.
Hours options: PT: 7-14, 15-20, 21-30 hours weekly 7-14: $250 biweekly stipend 15-20: $425 biweekly stipend 21-30: $637.50 biweekly stipend Full time: 31-40 hours weekly, $850 biweekly stipend
This position operates through the 2025-2026 academic year; approximately mid-August through mid-June
This position serves one or more of DREAM’s Guided Mentoring for High School Youth program sites.
AmeriCorps members are also eligible for (based on total annual income): Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (food stamps) Child care assistance Medicaid Student loan deferment (forbearance) Other publicly-funded benefits, such as heating and utility assistance.
Upon the completion of the service term, AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive the Segal Education Award , which can be used to pay education expenses or repay qualified student loans.
As an AmeriCorps member at DREAM, you will have the additional support of a DREAM AmeriCorps Director to help you navigate your service term and apply for publicly funded programs.
If you engage in work-related travel outside of a commute, DREAM will provide reimbursement for mileage.

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