Valley Metro Transit Intern (refugee adults)

Submitted by Andrea Trifunovic on Wed, 05/04/2011 - 12:56pm

LOCATION

3443 N. Central Ave. North Rotunda
Phoenix, AZ 85012
See map: Google Maps

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Fingerprint/background clearance is required.

This internship is 95% direct service. As such, you must have a valid fingerprint clearance card.

A valid fingerprint clearance card is required. You can get the clearance card for a tutor or a teacher. The cost is $65, but once you are approved to intern with us, we will be able to reimburse you for the expense. Make sure to keep all of your receipts. The process can take up to two months, so if you decide you would like to work with us, please start the process as soon as you can. You would be able to perform other on site administrative duties or tutoring while you are waiting for the clearance card.

SCHEDULE OPTIONS

Semester availability

Fall
Spring
Summer

Service hours

Morning
Afternoon
Evening

Available days/hours

This position requires availability during business hours - between 8 AM and 4:30 PM M-F because paid on-call translators will be used. If necessary however, evening hours can be arranged.

REQUIRED/DESIRED SKILLS

Previous experience working with refugees is not required but students must have a willingness to be open and learn from refugee clients. You should also:

  • Display a high level of cultural sensitivity
  • Be able to present information in ways that can help clients to best understand the material
  • Have leadership skills to be able to take charge and steer the group in the right direction
  • Have a friendly and welcoming personality
  • Be comfortable using interpreters

 

CATEGORIES

Adults
Education
English as a Second Language
Mentoring
Refugees
Social Services

COMMUNITY PARTNER

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest Refugee & Immigration Services

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP

Duties

The purpose of this position is to get our refugee clients familiar with the public transportation system in the valley. To do this effectively you will:

  • Conduct a 1-hour (approximately) orientation session in the clients' home to teach them how to understand the Valley Metro transit map and transit booklet
  • Teach the clients how to read the personalized maps provided by LSS
  • Teach the clients how to ride the bus by actually taking them on the bus and following a route to the LSS office and back to their homes

Training for the sessions will be provided so that you will feel comfortable teaching the clients. Interpretation will be provided for the 1-hour orientation session in the clients' home.

The destinations will sometimes differ, depending on the clients' needs. Some other destinations include the local library, the MVD Office, language centers and other public assistance offices.

 

Population served

Lutheran Social Services Refugee and Immigration Services provides resettlement services to clients from countries that include: Iraq, Iran, Bhutan, Burma, Congo, Eritrea, Somalia, Cuba and more. LSS-SW Refugee and Immigration Services serves approximately 600 newly arrived refugees each year. The student intern will likely work with some or all of these ethnic groups. Each ethnic group has specific needs during their resettlement based on their education and work history as well as their unique experiences as refugees. All clients require assistance with learning English, connecting with their new community and helpful resources as well as contact with American citizens.

Community need/impact

The internship will directly assist newly arriving refugee families with acclimating to American culture and learning about their new community in Phoenix. All of the endeavors of this position will provide much needed exposure to the local transit system, the clients' new communities and English language.

 

While this may seem like a simple service, it is incredibly important for our clients. Clients will be able to master public transportation and as a result will be independent and able to seek out opportunities for self-sufficiency so that they may have a successful life in the US.

The student intern will have a very rewarding experience while helping clients. It is very easy to see the positive impact on refugee clients when knowledge is shared and specifically designed to improve their quality of life.