Education and Social Services:
At-Risk Youth Mentor

Location
Located in Hilo, Hawaii, one of the most "local" of all Hawaiian cities, are several schools eager for help in their classrooms. Hilo, a charming mix of old and new, is nestled in a bay on the East Coast of the Big Island. Though the largest city on the Island, the pace of life is slower in Hilo and the community is close. Flooded by tsunamis, threatened by lava flows, and a variable economy, Hilo withstood it all. It is a beautiful town, located on the water and lush with flora offering magnificent fragrances that hover in the streets. Historic Hilo offers a variety of activities including frequent music and theater performances, as well as several beaches with snorkeling, boogie boarding and surfing opportunities. Famous in the Islands, the Hilo market flourishes every Wednesday and Saturday, offering a variety of arts and crafts, local produce, fish and exotic flower arrangements.The market is often serenaded by a musical performance in the nearby bandstand.

Hilo is the gateway to adventures. Puna is located south of the city and is the home of thermal hot springs and abundant marine life. A short distance up the mountain is the world famous Volcanoes National Park and the spectacular Kilauea lava flow. North of Hilo, the scenic Hamakua Coast leads to Waipio Valley and the ranchlands of Waimea.

Project
Travel to the Big Island of Hawaii to experience living in the Pacific and significantly impact children's lives. The adolescent years of a child's life are valuable. It is a time in which young adults are able to form their values and personalities, as well as figure out how they fit into the world and gain a sense of what they can contribute. Unfortunately, many children do not have easy access to an environment that fosters their growth. Domestic violence, lower income families, peer pressure, in addition to several other factors, impede a child's self-enhancement, learning, health and self-confidence. Many children in homes stricken with domestic violence witness abuse and suffer secondary psychological effects, including aggressive behavior and depression. Male children who witness abuse are more likely to become abusers themselves as adults, continuing a cycle of violent behavior.

Fortunately there is a nationally-recognized organization that is dedicated to helping adolescents at-risk. With a stable home, after-school programs, and a workforce program, at-risk youth are able to make steps towards developing themselves as individuals and enjoying the benefits of adolescence at the same time.

With positive mentors in their lives, at-risk youth have a model for which to strive. The mentor-youth relationship is a strong and complex one: a relationship in which both mentor and youth grow and learn. Interns will have the opportunity to effect positive change in the lives of troubled young people.

Job Description
As an At-Risk Youth Mentor, interns will have an intimate and exceptional perspective into local culture. There are two Residential Living programs; one is an Emergency Shelter that accepts youth in need 24 hours a day. The other, an independent living home in which adolescents learn to live responsibly. A workforce program wherein at-risk teens are given the opportunity to explore job possibilities, apply and work with guidance is also available. Additionally, there are after school and outreach programs that offer activities and outings throughout the week, including tutoring programs and field trips.

Interns have the opportunity to choose based on their interests and the needs. Each intern has a unique background and a variety of aptitudes that will benefit different programs. The internship is designed to be a learning experience for both the intern as well as the adolescents with whom they work.

Prevention Programs

The Prevention Programs provide safe, caring, and nurturing environments along with access to opportunities, experiences, and services to support positive youth development and an effort to prevent problem behaviors such as Substance Abuse, Delinquency, Teen Pregnancy, School Drop-out, and Violence.  All programs focuses on working with the Community (collaborations, meetings), Schools (referrals, target population, activity collaborations, site-based), family (family strengthening and involvement activities), and the individual (life skill building, educational development, positive activities).

The service activities consist of a comprehensive delivery of community-based outreach, case management, and positive alternative activities for youth ages 7-19, that are conducted and available during and after-school hours, weekends and school intercessions and holidays.  Prevention services are implemented in Hilo, Keaau, Pahoa, Honokaa, and Kona Communities.

Prevention services include: Positive Youth Development, Tobacco Prevention Program, Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Family Strengthening Programs, Drug and Violence Prevention Program, “METH” Prevention Program, and Substance Abuse Prevention Program.  All programs offer life skills development, educational development, mentoring, community service projects, family strengthening, and youth leadership development.

For the residency assisance program the following are the duties and responsibilities.

SKILLS AND PERSONAL QUALITIES:

1. Willingness to accept and implement philosophy of giving.
2. Ability and skill in communicating with people or different cultures.
3. Ability to write and speak comprehensibly.
4. Ability and skill in relating to a wide range of people and situations: youth,
parent, agency workers, police, school personnel, supervisors, etc.
5. Ability and skill to work within an interdisciplinary team concept and
participate in staff training and growth groups
6. Personal attributes: Good/sound judgment, dependability, initiate
understanding, firmness, caring, organization, high energy level and ability to
work under conditions of stress and change without verbal or active
expression.
7. Be available to work days, evenings, weekends, holidays and maintain a
flexible work schedule.
8. Be willing to take on job responsibilities outside job description, if need
arises.

C. RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assist the Residential Specialist in the following:
a. Transporting of residents to and from school, work and/or scheduled
appointments, recreational outings.
b. Supervision of residents during routine program activities such as:
meal preparation, recreational activities at the facility or on a group
outing.
c. Participation in informal group sessions with resident.
d. Implement chore system to residents and monitoring for completeness.

Availability and Requirements
Positions available year-round.

Some experience with children or at-risk youth is preferred. Interns must be enthusiastic, hard working, and desire a challenge. This is quite a serious placement requiring stable, mature and committed individuals. Each intern must complete the Criminal History Process, which can be completed before arriving in Hawaii.

Minimum Length of Stay
4 weeks

Additional Requirements
Please submit along with your application a resume or acceptable equivalent, indicating any relevant knowledge or skills. Please also provide a brief essay (one page or less) indicating: the source of your interest in this position, what you hope to contribute to the programs indicated, and what you hope to learn or experience through your internship.