BACKGROUND: International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst 

humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in more than 40 

countries and over 20 U.S. cities, the IRC provides resettlement, education, and empowerment 

support to refugees and displaced people. Over the past eight years, the Refugee Youth 

Program at IRC NJ has developed partnerships with Union, Essex, and Hudson County public 

schools, community-based organizations, and local colleges and universities to support the 

positive development of refugee youth and their communities in New Jersey. The Refugee 

Youth Program provides year-round programming working directly with refugee youth, their 

parents and families, and their schools.  

SCOPE OF WORK: The goal of the youth programs is to help recently arrived refugee and 

immigrant children, and youth adapt successfully to elementary, middle, and high schools and 

prepare for college, career, and beyond while meeting their short and long-term educational 

needs and supporting refugee youth’s social-emotional well-being and English language 

development.  

RESPONSIBILITIES: The Youth Education Programs at the IRC in Elizabeth Support newly arrived refugee and immigrant youth, their families, and their schools with the school adjustment process and preparation for college and beyond. Refugee Youth School Orientation Support Interns will assist with and eventually lead school orientations for newly arrived parents and students. School orientations will inform parents/guardians and students about the education system here in New Jersey and how school policies and procedures may differ from their country of origin. The School Orientation Support Intern will also provide specific school, faculty, and beneficial resources offered to families from the student(s) enrolled school.  

Under the supervision of and with the support from the Youth Program Specialist, Interns will:  

Provide or secure interpretation services as needed to inform students and parents about school specific information and educational resources and related information.   

Input casenotes into IRC platforms.     

Assist and lead school orientation presentations to parents/students.  

Research and compile specific school information for parents to keep and reference during school orientation presentations and throughout the year.  

Participate in staff development and team meetings and workshops.  

Under the supervision of the Youth Program Specialist, assess and monitor family needs and make appropriate referrals.  

Complete related tasks and responsibilities assigned by the Youth Program Specialist.  

Learning Objectives:  

The intern will learn about refugee resettlement issues and processes especially K-12 education registration and accessing educational services.  

The intern will develop outreach and advocacy skills.  

The intern will develop direct client service skills.  

The intern will develop culturally responsive practice skills.