Mentoring with cohorts of youth, from 6th to 12th grade and with youth attending the Game Loft program. Accepting applications now for 2024 service. Four members will serve full-time for 1700 hours in 2024 at both our drop-in center and school-based program sites. Living allowance and other benefits.
Service Activities
Members meet with youth in-school or at the Game Loft or at our after-school program site, Farwell Center. The Loft is open five days a week, 2-6, Fridays until 8:30. I KNOW ME activiites involve monthly cohort meetings, monthly field trips, mini-field trips with a small group of four or fewer, intentional mentoring and in-school presence. Playing non-electronic games, community service, self-discovery activities, overnight expeditions, day trips to places around Maine.
Community Need Addressed
Raise aspirations and increase assets for rural youth. Young people who live in rural communities struggle with isolation and lack of opportunity. , Frequently, their families are stressed by a variety of social-economic factors. When kids struggle with these challenges they often act out and make poor choices leading to another cycle of academic and social failure.
Position Outcomes
Increased academic involvement, increased aspirations in middle and high school students, increased bonding to peers and adults, increased knowledge and interest in the state of Maine. Ultimately, our youth will have hope for the future and believe that success is possible.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Relocation allowance (if applicable), Training
We will help members secure housing and if needed and as an alternative to health insurance, provide a small housing allowance. We provide partial reimbursement for use of smartphone. Flexible schedule with leeway for personal time off.
Education Benefits
College Degree
CPR/First Aid; Lifeguard training; Mandated Reporter training; Volunteer Management training
Skills you will gain
Professional behavior and expectations in a social service position, ability to work with people across generations, income and education levels, knowledge of the state of Maine, youth leadership, outdoor activities, acceptance of different life-styles and ideologies among service population.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment