YOUTH PROGRAMS
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Refugee Transitions' Bridge-2-Success Youth Development Program includes the following components:
Home-Based Tutoring
After School Tutoring:
Oakland International High School
After School Tutoring:
San Francisco International High School
Refugee Youth Leadership Corps
Summer Camp
For more information about each of these components, please click on the appropriate link above.
HOME-BASED TUTORING FOR YOUTH
The Bridge-2-Success Youth Development Program provides over 250 youth in local refugee and immigrant communities with the help and opportunities they need to develop supportive relationships with adults and peers, succeed academically, and develop leadership skills. Trained volunteers provide home-based tutoring and mentoring for youth, and staff provide case management to ensure youth graduate from high school and continue their education.
OUTCOMES
Over 80% of enrolled youth have developed healthy relationships with adult role models, significantly improved reading and math skills, and increased their understanding of the U.S. educational system.
VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT
Volunteers are asked to make a minimum commitment of nine months (at least one academic year) and to work with their students 2-4 hours per week. Schedules are arranged between the volunteer and student. We try to place volunteers with someone who lives in a convenient location, although there are no guarantees. Volunteers must attend a preparatory Orientation and Training. For more information on how to get involved, view our page on volunteering.
AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING: OIHS
Refugee Transitions implements and manages an After School Tutoring Program for refugee and immigrant youth at Oakland International High School (OIHS). All the students at OIHS have lived in the U.S. for less than four years, with some students having no or limited English skills and others having had interrupted educations.
ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM
- Led by Academic Leader
- Runs Monday-Thursday
- Averages 38 students a day (over half the student body has attended at least once)
- Supports academic achievement and youth development
- Highest-need students are also matched with RT home-based tutors to receive additional support
- On Thursdays, those with the lowest English abilities can attend a specialized ESL class
- At least five trained volunteer tutors assist students daily
- Selected students are trained and supported as peer tutors
- Monthly awards, such as hardest working, best attendance, and community builder, are handed out
- Students can receive a free bus pass for attending at least eight times a month
OUTCOMES
In the fall of 2009, 95% of regularly attending students either improved their academic performance [by an average of .32 points (GPA)] or maintained their A average. Data from the spring of 2009 show that 80% of tutoring students felt more confident with their English, 68% understood assignments better, and 88% showed higher overall confidence.
TESTIMONIALS
“RT has worked with OIHS since its planning phase to identify the needs of refugee students and build academic and non-academic programs and find outside resources that would help address these needs. We have partnered in building the tutoring program from a one-day-a-week study session with eight students to a 4-days-a-week service that serves over 40 students at a time. RT has also partnered with OIHS in fundraising, and has provided staff members with insight into the particular history and needs of our refugee population. RT staff has helped us navigate the Alameda foster care system for some of our refugee students, and in general, RT is a top-notch program to work with. Their work is timely, of excellent quality, and meets the needs of students and staff.”
-- Carmelita Reyes, Principal, Oakland International High School
“Dear tutoring, You are so kind! To help me with my homework. Thank you for all your help! I feel if I don’t have the help of all the teachers in tutoring, maybe I can’t finish my work on time. Thank you for taking the time to help me.”
-- Student, Oakland International High School
“Dear Ms. Nakachi, You are so helpful. It was so kind of you to help me with my homework every day after school. I appreciate your support. I am greatful for your help. Thanks to you I understand many things like how to find application paper on the computer."
-- Student, Oakland International High School
To view a slideshow of pictures from our after school tutoring program at Oakland International High School, click here
AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING: SFIHS
Thanks to our strong relationship with OIHS, we were asked by the principal of the new San Francisco International High School (SFIHS) (housed at Mission High School, started in fall 2009) to provide a similar after school academic tutoring program.
ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM
- Led by Academic Leader
- Runs Monday-Thursday
- Averages 15 students per day (over half the student body has attended at least once)
- Supports academic achievement and youth development
- Highest-need students are also matched with RT home-based tutors to receive additional support
- At least three trained volunteer tutors assist students daily
- Selected students are trained and supported as peer tutors
- Monthly awards, such as hardest working, best attendance, and community builder, are handed out
OUTCOMES
In the fall of 2009, 94% of regularly attending students improved their academic performance or maintained an A average, as reported by teachers.
TESTIMONIALS
Teacher comments about the inpact of tutoring on students:
“E. is benefitting tremendously from tutoring and is beginning to push through his language frustrations.”
“I think J. has benefited a lot from attending tutoring. He is more confident and participates much more in class. He refused to talk publicly before and then in December he presented his portfolio in front of the whole class!”
“M. is speaking more English than before!”
“R.'s world seems to partially revolve around tutoring and it is so amazing how much she has opened up and knows she is supported by all of the RT tutors.”
“A. participates more in class. Her dictation quizzes have improved. She is becoming more confident in answering questions and using English.”
“I. has always been very strong academically. I think she gains self-esteem from the program.”
A quote from San Francisco International High School's principal about Refugee Transitions:
“Our partnership with Refugee Transitions developed due to the spectacular work they were doing with our Oakland school. We have been so pleased with the level of support they provide to our students. We have a growing group of students who attend tutoring sessions every day they are offered, and a large number of students who "drop-in" to get help on specific assignments or projects. The staff are extremely personable and professional, and consistently communicate with the teachers at the school to develop structures that best serve our students. As we continue to develop our after school model, we are seeing more and more impact from our Refugee Transitions’ tutoring program. This work is not only providing targeted intervention for our students with limited schooling and those with the least proficiency in English, it is also a powerful intervention and positive support for students who would normally be on the streets after school. We are confident that we will continue to see more and more benefits from this program.”
-- Sonia Geerdes, Principal, San Francisco International High School
REFUGEE YOUTH LEADERSHIP CORPS
OBJECTIVE
The Refugee Youth Leadership Program (RYLP) provides leadership training and support to refugee youth who already serve as leaders and a source of support in their communities. RYLP provides refugee youth leaders a structured environment in which to learn leadership skills, network with other young refugee leaders, receive academic guidance and counseling, develop peer tutoring skills, and learn how to link their communities to existing local resources. These youth serve as ambassadors from the refugee community to Refugee Transitions, Lao Family Community Development, and local service providers.
RYLP ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Attend youth leadership meetings to receive training and community building instruction
- “Peer tutor” other refugee students in RT’s after school programs and tutoring sessions at Oakland International High School and other schools and/or community centers
- Serve as camp counselors at Refugee Transitions’ annual Summer Camp, helping to recruit and orient students, plan logistics with Refugee Transitions' staff, and organize and facilitate camp activities
- Serve as “buddies” for newly-enrolled refugee students at their schools, helping new students navigate the school system and access services like free lunches and after-school program enrollment
- Organize a community outreach event on or around World Refugee Day, to educate the East Bay population about refugee issues
To view a slideshow of our Refugee Youth Leaders, click here
SUMMER CAMP
Refugee Transitions holds two summer camp weekends - one for boys, and one for girls - in San Francisco’s Presidio Park, and a two-week long enrichment camp in the South Bay (in partnership with Soccer Without Borders). Youth from different nations come together for these camps and have a blast making friends and enjoying the outdoors. Summer can be a particularly difficult time for newly arrived refugee youth, and Refugee Transitons’ camps provide them with a much-needed opportunity to participate in enriching activities, appreciate the natural beauty of the Bay Area, practice their English, and have fun in a safe, supportive environment.
At our overnight weekend camps, campers set up tents, sleep under the stars, cook meals, build campfires, play games, sing songs, explore the beach, hike through the park, and learn about conservation. At our two-week day camp in the South Bay, youth participate in a variety of activities - working on art projects, writing stories, honing their English skills, and playing games and sports. This is a time for youth to share their culture with others and make lasting friendships with those who have gone through similarly difficult experiences.
Camp is open to Refugee Transitions students who are already receiving home-based or after school tutoring assistance, as well as youth on our waitlist.
CAMP TESTIMONIALS
"At camp, I have been typing on a computer and meeting new friends. I have enjoyed making food and exercising everyday."
-- Emeline, Refugee Transitions Student and Enrichment Camp Attendee, Burundi
"I really liked camp. It’s good hanging out with girls and it’s just fun! After camp, when I see the girls in town or outside, I know they know my name. And that’s the best part about it!"
-- Patience, Refugee Transitions Student and Girl's Camp Attendee, Liberia
"My favorite part of camp is cutting garlic and the chilis. My favorite meal is the burrito!"
-- Arpan, Refugee Transitions Youth Leader and Boy's Camp Attendee, Bhutan
