Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Louisville
Americorps VISTA Cultural Exchange and Mentoring Coordinator (full-time)
Job Description
The overall goal for the Americorps VISTA Cultural Exchange and Mentoring Coordinator is to
build KRM’s capacity to develop and refine cultural exchange and mentoring programs for newlyarrived refugees in need of social support. The primary goal for the first year of the project is to
examine existing cultural exchange/mentoring programming within KRM and to create a plan of action
to improve processes of mentor recruitment, training, and placement. This will entail an initial needs
assessment, investigating best practices in research literature and elsewhere, and revising existing
recruitment and training materials. It is our belief that expanding opportunities for community
engagement and cultural exchange will reduce newly-arrived refugees’ isolation, improve integration
outcomes, and ultimately enable refugee participants to rise out of poverty more quickly and
completely.
Per Americorps VISTA guidelines, this is a full-time, year-long position, starting July 24, 2015 and
ending July 23, 2016. More details and application instructions for Americorps VISTA can be found at
the following website: http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-vista
Sequence and Timeframe of Essential Duties and Tasks
Objective 1: Conduct Needs Assessment to identify existing practices and programming, and to identify
areas for growth/development.
1. Review existing mentor outreach and training materials (paper and digital)
2. Learn about existing models and opportunities for growth
a. Interview key staff members (case managers, volunteer coordinator)
b. Interview refugees who have participated in mentoring/cultural exchange relationship
c. Interview current and past mentors
3. Create a report of findings/feedback from stakeholders to share with key staff; explicitly identify
growth areas
a. Create a visual tool to explain current processes and work flows relating to mentor placement
(i.e. flow chart) to identify areas for intervention/overlap across programs
Objective 2: Identify best practices for addressing gaps/growth areas identified in Needs Assessment.
1. Explore research literature surrounding best practices for refugee integration, cultural exchange, and
mentoring
2. Explore existing models of mentoring/cultural exchange relationships (i.e. Big Brothers/Big Sisters,
First Friends) to identify established practices for fostering positive relationships between mentor
and mentee
3. Identify methods to reduce mentor attrition
4. Create a Plan of Action in collaboration with KRM staff to implement identified best practices
Objective 3: Set the foundations for future outreach and recruitment.
1. Create inventory of existing partnerships/community groups that could be leveraged for mentor
recruitment (i.e. ethnic support groups, schools, churches)
2. Identify new partnerships/opportunities to be leveraged for mentor recruitment
3. Revise recruitment/outreach materials and methods (especially use of social media)
4. Prepare a Plan of Action/recommendation for year 2 VISTA to conduct effective outreach
Objective 4: Revise training tools for newly-recruited mentor, embedding feedback from Needs
Assessment (activity 1) and best practices identified in research (activity 2)
1. Read and identify overlaps/outdated information in training tools for existing programs
2. Work with volunteer coordinator and program managers to create a cohesive training tool for all
mentors, with supplemental information for each respective program (i.e. unique guidance for
mentors of school-aged children vs. elders)
3. Identify areas to embed cultural exchange concepts (vs. current one-way learning model)
4. Share new training materials with key staff and integrate feedback until satisfactory
5. Digitize training tool so it will be easily accessible updatable after VISTA project is complete
Job Requirements
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College degree required.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency in MS Word and Excel
Previous cross-cultural experience in a social service, development or educational setting
preferred
Job will be primarily during normal business hours, though some evening/weekend hours may
be needed occasionally
Access to reliable transportation required
Specialized Skills
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Strong organizational skills; ability to compile and synthesize information from multiple
sources
Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks
Comfort with servicing limited-English-proficient clients and utilizing bilingual interpreters
Strong detail orientation and ability to create practical action plans
Team-orientation; ability to work in coordination with agency resettlement staff.
Strong outreach skills; ability to network with a wide range of service providers and community
partners
Patience and strong commitment to client care, while at the same time adhering to agency
mission of promoting client self-sufficiency
Ability to take initiative and work independently with supportive supervision
Agency Profile
Founded in 1990 as a nonprofit agency, Kentucky Refugee Ministries is a local affiliate of Church
World Service and Episcopal Migration Ministries, two of nine national voluntary agencies authorized
to provide resettlement services to refugees legally admitted to the United States through the U.S. State
Department’s Refugee Admissions Program.
Since 1995, under the auspices of the Church World Service/Immigration and Refugee Program
(CWS/IRP), KRM has also assisted Cuban/Haitian entrants admitted under a special program for Cuban
immigration administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. Under this program, KRM’s
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Cuban/Haitian office is also authorized to assist Cubans and Haitians who are paroled into the U.S.
KRM’s Louisville office currently receives around 550 refugee and 500 Cuban arrivals a year.
Kentucky Refugee Ministries secures housing and medical care for refugees and provides them with
comprehensive case management including employment services, educational and cultural orientation
programming, and specialized programs for refugee youth and elders. KRM also offers classes for
refugees and immigrants preparing to apply for U.S. citizenship.
Salary and Benefits
This position is funded by the Americorps VISTA program. Benefits including medical insurance, a
monthly stipend and End of Service Stipend/Educational award are available through Americorps.
KRM may also provide a housing allowance for applicants who relocate to Louisville, KY for the
position. More details and application instructions for Americorps VISTA can be found at the following
website: http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-vista
To Apply
Interested applicants must apply through the Center for National Community Service (CNCS):
https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=60116&fromSearch=true
Applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter in addition to completing the CNCS
application. Please submit rsume and cover letter to:
Rachel Segretto
Resettlement Manager
Kentucky Refugee Ministries
969-B Cherokee Road
Louisville, KY 40204
Email: [email protected]
Date Posted: April 28, 2015
Close Date: May 12, 2015
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