Youth Development Trainer

PathLight Belize, a nonprofit committed to education, is seeking an experienced professional to support vulnerable youth successfully graduate and pursue brighter futures.

Across Belize, many students from low-income families face significant barriers to completing school and accessing vocational training or higher education. Poverty, family instability, limited academic support, and lack of exposure to scholarships and career opportunities can prevent students from reaching their full potential. To address these challenges, PathLight Belize’s sponsorship program provides more than financial assistance. Through tutoring, mentorship, psychosocial support, leadership development, family engagement, and career guidance, the comprehensive program equips students with the skills needed to succeed. Today, the program serves over 200 students across Belize City, Belmopan, and Orange Walk Districts, with demand continuing to grow. PathLight wishes to expand its reach while strengthening student retention, leadership programming, and career readiness.

As a Youth Development Trainer, you will collaborate with PathLight Belize mentors to enhance the organization’s holistic youth development services. Together, you will strengthen leadership programming, mentoring systems, family engagement, and psychosocial support. Your contributions will result in more confident and successful students, invested families, and stronger support systems. By investing in today’s young people, you’ll help break cycles of poverty.

Master's degree in social work, counseling, or clinical psychology.
AND
Three or more years of relevant experience in youth development programming or social work, with skills in organizational development and/or capacity-strengthening practices.

The Volunteer will live independently in a non-touristy urban area within the Belize District, Cayo District, or Orange Walk District. The Volunteer should expect to bike or walk to the work site. Electricity, running water, internet connection will be readily available.

Deepen your expertise in trauma-informed practices, youth development frameworks, and psychosocial support.
Develop Kriol and Spanish language skills while being immersed in the Belizean culture and building meaningful relationships.
Apply your professional skills to support vulnerable youth in Belize reach their full potential.

Train mentors in trauma-informed approaches, youth development strategies, and identifying concerns related to student well-being, mental health, and psychosocial needs.
Review and strengthen psychosocial support systems, case management practices, and referral processes for improved holistic student care.
Provide one-on-one and group coaching on emotional support, relationship-building, and student engagement.
Design and support leadership development and peer mentoring initiatives that connect older students with younger participants to promote confidence, responsibility, and program continuity.
Develop parent and family engagement strategies that strengthen communication and build caregivers’ capacity to support student success at home and in school.
Support alumni engagement activities that encourage former students to remain connected.
Develop summer programming and enrichment activities that support student learning, leadership, and personal growth during school breaks.

You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as wellness workshops or arts-based activities.

After a two-week orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to an urban community where you will collaborate with the staff at PathLight Belize to assess the needs and develop a workplan in line with their established goals.

Peace Corps/Belize will equip you with limited Kriol and Spanish language resources and you may work with a tutor who can help you build basic language skills to connect with the community.