Employment-focused mentoring is one way that local communities and churches can stand with newcomers to overcome obstacles that inhibit economic success and block the routes out of poverty. Employment-focused mentoring leverages social networks to more effectively support newcomers’ long-term integration, and it can also be a critical support for career advancement.
The Careers and Connections Guide, developed by Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Service, is a tool for partners interested in starting a mentoring program and supporting new Americans along the journey of integration. It provides tested resources designed for local service providers, congregations, or community groups to create and grow a program. The guide shares key practices for successful mentoring programs that Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service identified through pilot projects with refugee resettlement partners in Georgia, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania.
