Cultural Orientation Coordination Intern

BACKGROUND:

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  Domestically, our 28 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

The Cultural Orientation Program operates within the IRC SLC’s Education Program and supports monthly Cultural Orientation (CO) trainings to newly-arrived  refugees with the goals of providing the information necessary for refugees to successfully navigate available services, their local community, and broader US society and to promote cross-cultural understanding while encouraging clients’ positive psychosocial adjustment.

SCOPE OF WORK:

With oversight from the Education Program Supervisor, the Cultural Orientation (CO) intern will support with logistical preparations for the newly arrived refugee CO each month. This includes preparing the supplies and educational materials, support in client communication, and transportation. The IRC Cultural Orientation intern will also coordinate programming with CO volunteers for children between the ages of 2-11 years of age during the CO sessions including the facilitation of group games and educational activities, as well as field trips to local museums or parks. Resettle and Placement CO sessions occur monthly Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-2pm.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

•            Assist the Cultural Orientation Coordinator with all preparation for the sessions, including printing educational materials, following up communication with IRC SLC caseworkers regarding attendance clients, and setting up the venue.  about the clients, and letting presenter knows the date, time, and venue

•            Assist Cultural Orientation Coordinator with collecting CO-specific data and gathering feedback from clients

•            Coordinate programming with CO volunteers for children between the ages of 2-11 years of age during the CO sessions

•            Prepare all client’s CO Assessments prior to each CO sessions

•            Provide assessments to client’s post each CO session with an interpreter

•           Assist Cultural Orientation Coordinator with collecting and inputting CO-specific data and gathering feedback from clients

•            Other duties as assigned

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1.           The intern will gain professional experience in working with diverse groups of clients.

2.           The intern will deepen understanding of program design, data tracking, and evaluation