Youth After-School Helper

Name of agency and statement of purpose:

The Karen Organization of Minnesota’s (KOM) mission is to build on the strengths of refugee and immigrant communities and remove barriers to achieving economic, social, and cultural wellbeing.

Purpose/objective: 

KOM leads afterschool programs this 2024-2025 year at two Saint Paul Public Schools: Como Senior High School and Washington Middle & High School. These programs provide academic, cultural and social support for Karen and Karenni youth. Youth After-School Helpers can provide homework help for students, help with individual and small group projects, support games and activities, chaperone field trips, and more.

Key Responsibilities:

• Tutoring:
  • Help middle and high school students with homework one-on-one or in small groups
  • Homework subjects vary by student, but include general high school courses (English reading and writing, History, Math, Science; could include Karen language class assignments)
  • Practice English reading, writing, or conversation with students who have limited English proficiency
  • Tutoring happens Wednesday/Thursday, with some tutoring on Monday/Tuesday as needed after scheduled activities
• Transportation:
  • Help our staff provide rides home for students so they can participate in the program
  • Transportation help especially needed from Como Senior High School on Monday and Wednesday starting at the end of the program around 5pm
• Project support:
  • Help students brainstorm personal projects and provide support to their project goals
• Field Trips and Off-Site Activities
  • Chaperone field trips and activities, and/or help provide transportation
• Other
  • Help prep materials for games/activities
  • Set-up/clean-up as needed

Time commitment: 

Available to help at least 2 hours/week during the afterschool program. Tutoring happens 3:00pm – 5:00pm Wednesday at Como Senior High and Thursday at Washington Tech Magnet School, with some tutoring on Monday and Tuesday as needed after scheduled activities. The afterschool program runs from October – May, with some breaks according to the SPPS district calendar. Most helpful if volunteers can commit for the whole program year, however, some tasks can support one-time or short-term volunteers, like field trip chaperoning.

Location: 

Volunteers will go to the afterschool program at their designated school(s) in Saint Paul (Como Senior High and/or Washington Tech Magnet School). Saint Paul Public Schools requires screening forms to be completed for all volunteers and visitors on-site. Field trips and off-site activities are TBD, but will be in the general Twin Cities metro area.

Qualifications: 

Patient, flexible and self-motivated college students or adults who have a passion for supporting youth in their academic, cultural, and emotional learning. Experience working with people with limited English proficiency is beneficial. Volunteers who identify as Karen or Karenni and who have some Karen language ability to support youth who are taking Karen language classes are preferred. If helping with transportation, volunteers must pass a driving background check and provide a copy of a driver’s license and proof of car insurance. All other volunteers must pass a criminal background check.

Measures: 

Volunteers are required to sign in and out at the start and end of their volunteering each day on our sign in sheet located in the classroom. Volunteers also have the option to enter their hours online.

Benefits: 

The volunteer has the opportunity to grow their tutoring skills, enhance their cross-cultural communication skills, gain understanding of youth’s social and emotional needs, and be involved in their community.

How to apply/contact: 

Please complete KOM’s Volunteer Application online or contact Suzanne Olive to receive a paper application. Volunteers will complete an interview to discuss their availability and interest. The volunteer will then complete orientation and the necessary forms, and be subject to a background check. The volunteer will then be connected with the Youth Coordinator who leads the afterschool program.