The AEDB-Imara Fellowship is an invaluable opportunity to delve into education related concepts, ideas, communities, experiences, neighbors, and friends that you might not have had the chance to have otherwise. Through a Don Bosco lens the fellowship guides participants into cultivating social change in their respective communities, specifically surrounding education. Fellows are inevitably exposed to complex issues and values and are encouraged and supported to confront them head on.

Anyone between the ages of 20-25 is eligible to apply for the Fellowship. There is no degree requirement in order to be considered.

If you are committed to delving into education, learning from and about a community (that is potentially not your own), and learning infinite amounts about yourself, you should definitely apply. If you are interested in the AEDB Imara experience, you should be willing to embrace “productive discomfort” as a means of invaluable personal and professional growth.

If you are passionate about creating a better community for everyone involved, and are ready to join forces with a diverse community of people working hard to develop leadership, entrepreneurship & life skills of the youth, you should apply for the AEDB fellowship. If you are ready to put yourself in an environment that may challenge the comfort zones you may be used to, and open your eyes to global happenings you may not have been aware of and can now be a part of a group of people making progressive changes in these areas, you should apply and see yourself in a new light of empathy and capability.

So many things!

Many of them will be brand new and exciting, and will most definitely take you right out of your comfort zone. You’ll plan and host events, go to community & school board meetings, volunteer almost every day, learn about the students & community you serve in a way you never have before, connect with people of all ages, develop creative ways of reaching people, challenge your beliefs, feel conflicted, meet more people than you can keep track of, go to services all over the place, get your hands dirty, clean things up, make a visible and palpable difference, and make a whole lot of people smile.

You’ll spend a portion of your time with your partner organization(s), supporting them and working around the areas of education. You’ll take time to go on individual meetings with local community members and volunteers, listening to their experiences and working to make sure that all voices are included in your work. You’ll also put together and oversee volunteering events both large and small and feel the joy that comes with getting your hands dirty. Additionally, you’ll plan and facilitate educational events for the community related to a variety of socio-economic issues. Does that sound like a lot? It sure is. But every day is a new adventure, and there’s always something to learn along the way.

AEDB Imara focuses on addressing three issues of education: Youth leadership, Entrepreneurship & Life Skills Development.

These issues need tremendous attention across the country, and we believe that young people are passionate about addressing these issues. Fellows work together as a school-based team, and each Fellow’s work will be focused on one of these multi-facets areas.

In the application, Fellows will be able to share their preferred issue area or choose to work wherever they are most needed.

Underlying and intersecting these issue areas is education, and how it impacts an individual’s and community’s access to resources and self-sufficiency. Throughout the year as a fellow and with volunteers, participants, and community partners, fellows will explore and address some of the core challenges in our communities and society. As an organization, we see service as building solidarity among neighbours, across religious, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines and identities. We serve in partnership, by listening to and taking the lead from others so that we honour a multitude of needs and lived experiences. Service, done right, can support forward momentum in striving for education excellence.

We also believe that structured yet organic dialogue about critical social issues is a key catalyst that leads us to action in solidarity with our neighbours.

Fellows work with a group of three-to-four scholars (5th, 6th, 7th or 8th grade students) at least once a week and facilitate curriculum in math, literature, or social studies topics.

Fellows will also organize public programs that integrate contextual learning, volunteering, and reflection. In the past, Fellows have organized a documentary screening followed by a discussion with a representative from one of AEDB’s service partners. Other public programs have included a happy hour centred on Education conversation, and a lot clean-up program for a local church’s 20s and 30s group.

This is one of my favourite questions because there really is no typical day when you are a fellow. One part of the work that you will be doing as a fellow will be to plan events to engage community members. You’ll spend part of the week collaborating with fellow fellows and your program director to plan youth leadership & entrepreneurship themed events that will take place in your local neighbourhoods. Another aspect of the program is professional development and learning.

Fellows will engage in weekly learning sessions to learn about socio-economic topics and their communities. AEDB learning is incorporated into this part of the program to strengthen the understanding and connection between Don Bosco values, service, and volunteerism. Fellows will also volunteer with local organizations, attend local community events (such as happy hours, campus organization fairs, etc.), and recruit volunteers. While it may seem daunting (or frustrating) that there is “no typical day in the fellowship” it is one of the best things about the program. It allows fellows to be exposed to multiple parts of the non-profit world and grow in multiple ways. Fellows are able to utilize their strengths and have the opportunity to learn from a diverse group of people those around them.

One of the most exciting parts of the AEDB fellowship is that your daily schedule is always different. One day you may be volunteering with your Education service partners, teaching coding or getting your hands dirty on an urban garden. And the next day you may be having back to back coffee dates with amazing local young adults interested in the powerful work you’re doing, and working with them to create the perfect volunteer opportunity for their lives. Besides volunteering at your service partners, you will also be working closely with diverse communities, partnering with them in so many different ways; You may be partnering to teach a class at Imara school, and so much more. Your days are always changing, and you’re always meeting and working closely with an extremely diverse group of people.

I think what I was most surprised about with the fellowship were the transferable skills. I didn’t realize that I would have a crash course on social media, marketing, networking, event planning, public speaking, data management, a bunch more. These skills along with my newly earned knowledge on social impact issues and techniques for alliance and solidarity have really made me feel like the experience was worth it personally and professionally as well!

My communication skills improved immensely through my time with AEDB Imara. As Fellows are gently nudged outside of their comfort zones in social situations, my experiences taught me how to actively listen and form connections with people that I didn’t previously know. Additionally, being a fellow was instrumental in helping me overcome my biggest fear: public speaking! I began to embrace speaking engagements (from talking around a table of 5 people to presenting in front of a group of 50) and haven’t looked back!

Training for the AEDB Imara Fellowship generally takes place in three parts. The first part is an intensive, 4-5 day orientation in a central location with the entire organization, including all staff and all of the new fellows. The goals of orientation are to familiarize fellows with the non-profit, introduce them to the mission and the methods, meet the staff and other fellows, and begin working on the skills necessary to be successful within the fellowship. Activities include guest speakers, interactive learning sessions, and fun-filled social events.

The second part of the fellowship training is a more specific, local orientation to your service school and its components. This part is led by the Imara Director and team leads, and usually lasts between 2 and 3 weeks. Tasks and activities include meeting all of the service partners, learning the ins and outs of the school, acclimating to the living situation, choosing service sites, and brainstorming for the year ahead.

Lastly you’ll have ongoing training monthly with local faculty who are experts in education, as well as skills development and leadership learning.

You’ll receive a stipend of $50 per month. You can choose to participate in a basic funeral cover at no cost to you. You’ll also receive an additional stipend of $100 when you complete the program.

Fellows are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their own accommodation and transportation to and from the program during the duration of the Fellowship. However, financial assistance to subsidize the cost of travel is available to those in need, and can be confidentially requested.

The AEDB Imara Fellowship is open to any Imara Alumni age 20-25.

We also seek to build a community in which all people of any ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, from working-class backgrounds, find a supportive environment that is focused on their leadership.

Yes you do.

AEDB Imara is an organization that works to address the needs of all members of the community. However, you don’t need to be AEDB to be AEDB or Salesian Volunteer. You do need to be excited about mobilizing the community to serve. You should also be ready to explore how Don Bosco values, history, and customs inform our responsibility for creating a better community.

We’re excited to work with you!

The first step in becoming a AEDB Fellow is filling out the application. The application has two parts- the first is uploading your resume and answering a few short informational questions.

Once you submit that, you will get an email that leads you to part two, where you will answer a few short questions, as well as make a short video.

If you have a technical issue, please email our Fellowship Team at recrutement@aedbimarasfs.org and we will assist you as quickly as possible.

Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis through 31 August 2018.

The application allows us at AEDB Imara to understand who you are and what is important to you.  This is your first chance to tell us about your passions and experiences and to learn more about the Fellowship. We will ask you to answer a video question and write a couple of short personal essays about your background and interests. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview.

We ask for two letters of recommendation. In the application, you will submit the contact information for your recommenders. We will send them a brief evaluation form with a way to upload a letter of recommendation.

Someone who knows you and your leadership work well!

For example:

• An academic advisor, professor, or teacher with whom you worked closely. We ask that you only submit one academic reference.
• A former supervisor from a job, internship, or volunteer position
• A co-worker.

Please don’t include friends or family members as references.

Yes. Due to the nature of the volunteer work, all Fellows must successfully pass a criminal background check.

You can direct all of your questions to the Fellowship Director at recrutement@aedbimarasfs.org