Started in 2004 with a group of 15 teenagers, the Refugee Youth Program now serves over 200 youth and 100 parents annually. Because refugees spend years in refugee camps, often leading to serious gaps in education, the Refugee Youth Program focuses on integration into the United States’ school system while recognizing the importance of staying connected to cultures of origin. The Refugee Youth Program provides training for school personnel, parent and student orientations, school liaison services and case management; academic enrichment and tutoring, mentoring and a host of additional cultural enrichment opportunities.

In 2010, our Refugee Youth program won the Family Strengthening Award along with a $25,000 grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Programs that demonstrate extraordinary ability to strengthen families are chosen for this honor. This prestigious award was given to only 3 programs in the United States. Jennifer Escue, the Youth Program Coordinator, accepted the award in Washington, D.C. at the Catholic Charities USA Centennial Celebration. Escue stated, "This award is confirmation that visions can be transformed into actions and those actions can transform lives."

While rewards of programs like this are usually found in the smiles of children as they succeed in school, the Refugee Youth Program had the rare opportunity to be recognized for its impressive work when it won the "Making a Difference" award as part of the Center for Non-Profit Management's Salute to Excellence in 2008. This annual award ceremony is the premier event for Nashville's non-profit, civic and corporate community. The Refugee Youth Program is honored to stand among those recognized. 

View the success story of Abdikadir, one of the Refugee Youth Program's first participants.