DREAM (Dedicated, Responsible, Enthusiastic, After-School, Mentors) is a youth-centered, paid internship program for students in 10th-12th grades to support the mission and programming of the Asheville City Schools Foundation including mentoring middle school students enrolled In Real Life (IRL) Afterschool program. DREAM members have the option of leading and mentoring middle school students enrolled in IRL, supporting ACSF with administrative tasks, or a combination of both. Through these internships students learn invaluable interpersonal skills that benefit them in a wide variety of future careers and life paths, and begin to develop into educators, facilitators and leaders.
IRL Afterschool at Asheville Middle School
Students serving as after school mentors commit to 1- 3 days of their choosing per week from the end of school hours until 6pm. Each student is assigned to an IRL club to assist the adult program provider in facilitating activities and building supportive near-peer mentor relationships with the middle school students. Transportation is provided for any student who requests it.
Internship Hours at the Foundation
Some students may choose to assist with office tasks at the ACSF office in addition to working with IRL Afterschool. These students help with administrative tasks under the supervision of our Director of Operations, Sara Metzger.
Bi-Weekly Meetings at Asheville High School
The DREAM team meets every other week during 5th period at Asheville High School. During these meetings students receive coaching and professional development in their roles, and have a space to debrief their experiences as IRL mentors, troubleshoot challenges, and receive support and feedback.
Monthly DREAM Staff Outings
A highlight for many DREAM members is attending DREAM outings, where students engage in activities outside of school hours to build community with their fellow DREAM members, build a sense of belonging and inclusion, and have fun. Past outings have included trips to a haunted farm and going to see the winter lights at the NC Arboretum.
Phone use during programming
The only times that DREAM members should use their phones during programming is to text or call IRL staff, or for short urgent calls with parents/guardians. This includes bus rides between locations during clubs- you should be interacting with IRL students!
You are expected to check your email, and respond to messages within 48 hours.
Phone communication with IRL staff
You are expected to respond as soon as is reasonable to texts and calls from IRL staff.
Show up to work on time and ready to go!
You are expected to show up to all required DREAM events including IRL days on time and ready to jump into work! If you have an unexpected life event or just a bad day and you’re not sure if you can show up positively, please talk with an IRL staff member.
Absences and communication
If you have a conflict with a required DREAM event or an IRL work day, or if you are sick, you are expected to let us know as soon as you know. No shows without a call will mean a conversation with the DREAM coordinator, and multiple no shows could mean not being able to participate in DREAM for some amount of time.
Its ok to miss work on short notice for these reasons:
You are sick
You have a family emergency
If you're feeling overwhelmed for another reason, and you reach out to the DREAM coordinator and ask to make a plan
These are things you should check in with the DREAM Coordinator about a week ahead of time:
A scheduling conflict with another club, sport, job or activity you do
A day you'd like off for a personal reason (social event, appointment, ect.)
Transportation
If you need transportation to or from any event on the blue bus, you are expected to let us know ahead of time.
Feedback
DREAM members are expected to give and receive feedback to and from providers and IRL staff in a positive, growth oriented manner, and to work positively with adult providers and IRL staff.
Paper checks
You will be paid by paper check. You are expected to cash your check within 30 days, and if you don’t the check will be voided. If you lose a check, it will cost you $35 to replace it. If you want a check replaced, you must reach out to the DREAM Coordinator to ask about it.
Be Awesome
Show up, be kind, be engaged! Engage with IRL students in a kind, fun, appropriate and professional manner at all times. Be role models and mentors for the middle school students.
How much do I get paid?
First year DREAM members- $15/hr
Second year DREAM members- $16/hr
Third year DREAM members- $17/hr
DREAM members serving as the provider for a club- $20/hr
What do I get paid for?
IRL time
Workshops and trainings that happen outside of school time
Special work opportunities (for example, helping with a board of directors meeting, making thank you phone calls to donors, other occasional opportunities)
What is unpaid time?
5th period meetings. These happen during the school day, and are counted as a club. You are required to come to these meetings unless you are not at school (home sick, family trip, etc.).
Outings. These are just for fun, and are optional. You get to do things like eating a meal at a restaurant, going bowling, etc. for free, but you do not get paid for these hours.