About
MIKE Program is a youth-focused health education program that develops knowledge and social-emotional skills in underserved youth, cultivates personal and community engagement for health promotion, expands the number of diverse and culturally-competent health professionals, and prepares youth to be health advocates for themselves and future generations. We recruit and train mentors to work with youth on a wide range of health topics and life skills.
Interested in helping today’s youth develop through health education? Mentor with MIKE!
Apply NOW to be ready to be placed with youth during Fall semester 2024!
Find support for your academic and career path as you support local youth, gain experience and hone skills in health education and youth development. MIKE is accepting applications for health mentors NOW for programs in Fall 2024.
This is a great fit for anyone currently pursuing a health, social science, or education degree in college or for individuals early in their careers as healthcare professionals. However, anyone is welcome to apply and learn more about this unique and impactful opportunity.
MIKE's mission is to educate and mentor underserved students to lead healthy lives personally, in their school community, and beyond. MIKE specifically serves in the communities most affected by health disparities. This means we are typically working with communities of color, lower-income communities, and in rural populations.
As a mentor, you will partner with MIKE staff to work directly with youth in their existing health classes to help achieve MIKE's 5 Programming Objectives:
- Increase knowledge and behaviors toward nutrition and healthy eating
- Increase numbers of adolescents and time spent in physical activity
- Increase exposure to healthcare career pathways
- Increase advocacy and promotion of equity and justice-
- Increase basic health knowledge and access to resources
You will act as a guide and positive role model within the classroom setting at local middle and high schools. You will join a teacher-managed classroom and MIKE staff to work with your youth along with a team of other mentors and their assigned youth. Mentors facilitate small group discussions, assist with hands-on activities, and participate in field trips. Mentors will have a hand in choosing healthy snacks to be shared in the class (paid for by MIKE Program).
When and how often: Once per week for an entire academic semester, only during weeks when school is in session. Options for bi-weekly programming may be available.
Where: We are recruiting for multiple sites for the Fall 2024 semester including.
- David Douglas High School - 1001 SE 135th Ave, Portland, OR 97233
- Rosemary Anderson High School, East Campus - 2208 SE 182nd Portland, OR 97233
Example of typical meeting times (these are past programming schedules and do not reflect the actual schedule, currently under review):
- 8:00 AM - 10:45 AM (with youth 8:15 - 10:30AM)
- 10:45 AM-12:10 PM (with youth 11:00-11:55 AM)
- 1:20-2:30 PM (with youth 1:35-2:30 PM)
Placement with youth: September 2024 - December 2024
Benefits to Mentoring:
- Fun break from studying and lecture halls
- Professional Development
- Fulfill requirements for academic credit, internship credit, clinical placement, or volunteer hour (direct service hours!) completion credits
- Experience working with adolescents from diverse backgrounds
- Develop invaluable skills by practicing what you're learning in real-life situations
- Free training and support in areas of health, youth development, and education
- Making a difference by guiding youth to learn about and embrace healthy behaviors and attitudes
- Professional recommendations for committed and dependable qualifying mentors
Qualifications:
- At least 18 years old
- Commitment throughout entire project time: every time/every week school is in session. It is imperative that once placed as a MIKE Program mentor, unless with prior arrangement, you attend all mentoring sessions and complete your term of service.
- Live in the Portland Metro Area
- Reliable transportation (includes public transportation)
- Interest in public health, education, youth development, social service, diverse communities
- Role model for health
- Good communication and listening skills
- Encouraging and supportive
- Patient and flexible
- Punctual and responsible
- Embraces individual differences
- Responsive to e-mail communication
- Open to participate in training and give feedback on your experience
- Willing and able to complete proper background check procedures
Application Process:
- Complete online mentor application
- www.mikeprogram.org/process-for-becoming-a-mentor/mentor-application
- Orientation and Interview with MIKE Program Coordinator & Director
- Fingerprint background check and reference check (paid for by MIKE)
- Online and in-person onboarding and training
- To be arranged at time of interview
- Training will take place over 2 sessions as a group in August (dates TBA)
- Plan any potential absences with MIKE staff prior to undertaking this volunteer opportunity
- Attend a two day mentor training prior to entering the classroom
To learn more and apply online, please visit us at www.mikeprogram.org or email info@mikeprogram.org.
MIKE Program
9155 SW Barnes Rd., Ste. 219
Portland, OR 97225
(P) 503-296-7705