Real Life Volunteers

The Real Life program is a peer-to-peer mentoring initiative that supports refugee and immigrant youth in the Salt Lake area by providing academic tutoring and practical life skills lessons. Through hands-on activities and meaningful connections, the program empowers students to succeed in school and beyond.

Volunteers should be passionate about working with youth of diverse backgrounds, enthusiastic, and flexible. While many volunteers are participants in the Youthlinc Service Year, the opportunity is open to others as well.

To be a Real Life volunteer, you must:

• Be 16-24 years old (or turning 16 before May of the next year)

• Be able to pass a background check (if 18+)

• Reside in the Salt Lake area or have reliable transportation to program sites.

• Arrive on time and be ready to help.

• Assist with tutoring, homework, and activities.

• Be respectful, engaged, and a positive role model.

• Help with cleanup at the end of each session.

• Follow school dress code guidelines.

• Maintain professional boundaries: no social media connections with students and no phone use during program.

Every volunteer will complete an online training before beginning their service. Additionally, continuous informal onsite training is provided throughout the year. This training is designed to help volunteers act as mentors and role models, and develop leadership skills.

Real Life volunteers are expected to commit to volunteering two hours each week throughout the Real Life year, which typically runs from November to May.

The Real Life program operates at various sites in the Salt Lake area in partnership with Promise South Salt Lake, Asian Association of Utah, and Umoja Generation.

These sites include:

- Sunnyvale Neighborhood Center

- Evergreen Jr. High School

- Olympus High School

- William Penn Elementary School

- James E Moss Elementary

- Lincoln Elementary

- Olene Walker Elementary

- Woodrow Wilson Elementary

- Umoja Generation.

Volunteers serve at one Real Life afterschool site once a week for two hours. Program times vary by location, but all sites run Monday–Thursday between 3:00–6:30 PM. For example, a volunteer might be scheduled Tuesdays from 4:00–6:00 PM.

Real Life volunteers have a unique opportunity to mentor and serve as role models for refugee and immigrant youth. Through this meaningful and enjoyable experience, volunteers gain valuable skills in leadership, teaching, and classroom management—while building strong connections with the students and finding purpose through service.

"Be patient and consistent, building relationships with the students takes time!"

"Be open-minded, engaged, and enthusiastic, as this positively impacts the students."

"Don't be afraid to set boundaries with the students and always be present when volunteering."