REFUGEE & IMMIGRATION SERVICES
ReCONNECT Kansas: Refugee Youth Mentorship Program
ReCONNECT Kansas is an opportunity for local mentors to help refugee youth achieve their education and career goals.
Through a grant from the Kansas State Office for Refugees, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas organizes one-on-one interactions and events and provides training and support from a program specialist.
Transforming Lives through Mentorship
Local mentors and refugee mentees meet regularly over the course of a year, building relationships and cultural understanding while helping young adult refugees build successful lives in Kansas.
Why Mentor with ReCONNECT?
Volunteering as a ReCONNECT mentor provides the opportunity to meaningfully interact with someone of another culture. Throughout the year mentors will be able to witness the impact of their efforts and celebrate achievements.
In addition, mentors will serve as a cultural ambassador to their mentee, and be an integral part of a program that helps tie refugees to others within the community.
Who is Eligble?
ReCONNECT mentees must be refugees, asylees, or have an immigration statues listed under 45 CFR 400.43 and have been in the United States for less than five years. Mentees must also be between the age of 15 and 24 and not be enrolled in a K-12 institution.
Mentors must be at least 25 years old and must exceed the age of their mentee by at least three years. Professional, volunteer, or personal experience in a job field mentees are pursing is preferred, but youth interest is diverse and this can take many forms. Mentors and mentees meet four times a month to create and follow plans to help the refugee youth succeed. Mentors are asked to commit to a one-year mentoring relationship and should expect to spend eight hours per month planning and engaging directly with their mentees.
Am I a Good Fit?
We are looking for dedicated mentors who are willing to help their mentees, ages 15-24, navigate career and educational goals while overcoming cultural barriers.
- Mentors commit to a one-year relationship with weekly check-ins and efforts outside of direct engagement.
- Professional, volunteer or personal experience in a job field mentees are pursuing is preferred, but not required.
ReCONNECT Kansas Contact Information
Emmaculata Sanga
Refugee Youth Mentoring Program Specialist
913.433.2576
esanga@catholiccharitiesks.org
Elena Hardy
Refugee Mentor Specialist
913.906.8999
ehardy@catholiccharitiesks.org
To volunteer as a mentor, get started by filling out the Volunteer Interest Form.
Address
Headquartered out of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ Wyandotte County office:
600 Minnesota Avenue,
Kansas City, Kansas
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To volunteer, please use the Volunteer Interest Form or visit the Volunteer with Us page.