Youth Mentor InternshipAt — Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA-South Gate) Youth Affected by Opioid

The Mentor Youth (MYABO) program targets services to youth 12-17 who are using opioids and/or who are impacted by family members who use opioids (or any controlled substance), with a focus on youth in foster care, youth who are homeless, and youth who are victims of human trafficking. The overall goal is to connect trained and screened mentors (ages 21+) with youth who have been impacted by the opioid crisis. Mentors will provide youth with the caring adult influence that research has shown to increase their positive social development, while reducing the likelihood that they will participate in negative behaviors.

The mentor requirements are the following:

• 21+ age
• Can commit to the program for 12 months
• Attend orientation (South Gate, CA)
• Attend all on-going training 1x per month
• Attend weekly meetings with VOALA Staff
• Submit weekly reading summaries.
• Submit 1 report (1 page) per week during your time with the mentee.
• Engage with your mentee for minimum 5 hours per week
• 5 years sober if you have had a history of substance use disorder
• Clear a LiveScan background report

Tasks:

Students will engage in mentor- mentee feedback sessions where they will case conference with Mentor Coordinator and Case Manager. 

Goal attainment analysis: Assessing the progress of mentees in achieving their goals and objectives with the mentor’s support, and reflecting on the mentor’s role in facilitating that progress, can provide concrete evidence of the mentor’s effectiveness.

Self-Assessment and feedback integration: Engaging in self-assessment exercises to evaluate their own mentoring performance from mentees, peer, program coordinators, team into their practice can facilitate ongoing improvement and growth as mentors.

Attend all on-going training 1x per month
Attend weekly meetings with VOALA Staff
Submit weekly reading summaries.
Submit 1 report (1 page) per week during your time with the mentee.
Engage with your mentee for minimum 5 hours per week

End of the year project: Students will be given a unique scenario where they are to write and present a paper on what evidence-based approaches they would use with the individual from the scenario to empower them to make positive life decisions. This paper will be reviewed by the Mentor Coordinator to see if appropriate approaches were implemented by the student.

Training:

Attend all on-going training 1x per month
Attend weekly meetings with VOALA Staff
Submit weekly reading summaries.
Submit 1 report (1 page) per week during your time with the mentee.
Engage with your mentee for minimum 5 hours per week

• Trauma Informed Care, this approach will train mentors on active listening, effective communication techniques and providing constructive feedback to build strong relationships.

• Cultural competence and diversity awareness training on cultural competence, diversity awareness and inclusivity can help mentors navigate diverse mentoring relationships and understand and respect the unique backgrounds and perspectives of their mentees.

• Problem Solving and conflict resolution; the mentors will be training on problem solving techniques and conflict resolution strategies that will equip mentors with the skills to help mentees address challenges, overcome obstacles and navigate conflicts effectively.

Learning Outcome:

Have an understanding of substance abuse by educating mentees about the risks, effects, and consequences of opioid use and addiction, promoting awareness and prevention strategies

Have an understanding and training in psychological evidence-based practices.

Have practice in working with at youth ages 12-17 and promoting healthy relationships and boundaries with adults or mentors