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.

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. 

Here is the success story of one of the Refugee Youth Program's first participants:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz7CdE4dLrQ