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REACH leadership training exercise in canoes

LEADERSHIP TRAINING

REACH youth leaders help guide the organization in its vision while also developing their own technical and leadership skills.

PEER MENTOR LEADERSHIP CORPS.

Our Peer Mentor Leadership Training program is a peer leadership model focused on youth-initiated mentoring, skills development, and service learning. The program provides leadership training and technical skills development to refugee youth participants, ages 14-18, who demonstrate leadership qualities and/or a deeper interest in STEAM topics, outdoor education or adventure sports. In this program, Peer Mentors learn about outdoor and experiential education and share their knowledge with younger or newer refugee participants, helping to keep them engaged, teach them practical skills, and nurture a sense of community and belonging. At the same time, Peer Mentors build their own skills through a network of engaged adult volunteers and partners.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

Several REACH Peer Mentors reflect on the impact that our programming has had on themselves and other refugee youth.

Abdul, REACH graduate & current staff member, talks about what it means to him to be a Peer Mentor.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PEER MENTOR.

REACH youth leaders help guide the organization in its vision while also developing their own technical and leadership skills. As part of their leadership training, REACH Peer Mentors participate in service learning and public speaking activities that raise their own and others’ awareness of important issues.

 

Our cohort of Peer Mentors meet every month to discuss their leadership, skills building, and service-learning opportunities and engage fully in the planning and implementation of those activities that are relevant to their leadership growth. A key component includes the selection and design of youth-led community service projects. 

WHY BECOME A PEER MENTOR?

Peer Mentor Tasks:

  1. Be a responsible role model

  2. Help new members feel comfortable and confident

  3. Keep everyone organized

  4. Demonstrate skills and techniques

  5. Co-facilitate group sessions

  6. Identify and plan areas for personal and organizational growth through skills training, investigations, and service-learning projects

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Peer Mentor Outcomes:

  • Unique, fun and challenging experiences

  • Stronger connections with other youth, volunteers, and staff

  • Development of new skills on a deeper level 

  • Attendance at local, regional, and national conferences, symposiums, trips, and trainings

  • Enhanced college applications and broadened career pathways​

  • Potential summer jobs or staff positions with REACH

HOW DO I BECOME A PEER MENTOR?

1. Engage in REACH Adventure Camps:

  • Peer Mentors start out as regular REACH participants. It's important to engage in as many REACH activities as possible before one can become a Peer Mentor-in-Training.

  • Show compassion and kindness to other youth participants

  • Be respectful to adult volunteers, staff and partners

  • Enjoy the challenges

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 2. Apply to become a Peer Mentor-in-Training:

  • Complete a Peer Mentor Leadership application

  • Select at least two skills-specific leadership tracks 

  • Participate in a REACH interview

  • Pair up with an Adult Mentor and a Peer Mentor

  • Participate in skills-building and leadership trainings

   

3. Graduate to Peer Mentor Status: 

  • Sign a Code of Conduct Peer Mentor Agreement

  • Get formal approval from Parents or Guardians

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