Autism Mentorship Initiative

AMI Volunteer Mentor Position

SFU offers a peer mentoring service to assist autistic students and we are seeking enthusiastic, committed volunteer mentors to participate!

The overall goal of the Autism Mentorship Initiative, or AMI, is to improve the student mentees’ sense of inclusion in the academic and campus community and to promote engagement and success at university. The volunteer mentors will meet with the mentee weekly to socialize and work on specific issues that are important to the mentee.

In order to be effective in this role, the volunteer mentor must demonstrate a commitment to the program as consistency is critical to the development of the mentor-mentee relationship.

The commitment involves:

• participating for at least two sequential terms (typically the fall and spring terms)
• meeting one-on-one with mentees for 1-2 hours a week
• up to 1.5 hours a week of preparation and note writing
• attending a monthly supervision session with knowledgeable experts in the field, including:
  • Dr. Grace Iarocci, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology (Autism and Developmental Disorder Lab)
  • Dr. Elina Birmingham, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education (Social Attention Research Group)
  • Dr. Mitchell Stoddard, Director, Centre for Accessible Learning

• there may be monthly events or workshops to participate in as well.  

Mentors will be required to complete a one day training session occurring in August (specific date TBA). Assignment to a mentee will occur in September; however a match is not guaranteed. A $500 honorarium will be provided to each volunteer who works with a mentee throughout the two terms.

Attributes required of candidates include:

• excellent interpersonal and study skills
• effective communication abilities
• ample knowledge of campus resources

In addition, successful candidates are expected to demonstrate a caring and compassionate attitude and be respectful of diversity.  

Background knowledge of autism, prior tutoring or education/teaching experience are considered assets, but, are not necessarily required.

If you are interested in this great opportunity to gain knowledge and experience while mentoring young autistic adults, please complete the on-line application below and upload your resume and cover letter to the attention of the Program Coordinator.  

Please submit applications by July 31.