IRC's HOPE Refugee Youth Program Expands

With new funding from the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, IRC Baltimore’s HOPE Refugee Youth Program is partnering with Baltimore City Community College’s Refugee Youth Program (RYP) to merge and expand their successful programs and provide increased academic enrichment services and support to 250 refugee students in Baltimore City schools.
 
“Everyone I’ve talked to in the school system about this new program has responded with excitement,” said Matt Schultz, IRC’s Youth Program Manager. “They are all looking forward to the increased support for the refugee students and a closer collaboration between the school, refugee parents, RYP, and IRC.”
 
In the expanded youth program, refugee students will be paired with youth case workers to help ease their transition to the American school system, attend school-based adjustment support groups and after-school programs, and be matched with volunteer tutors, if needed. 
 
IRC’s efforts to improve students’ educational success will also include working with parents and teachers. IRC will encourage refugee parents’ involvement in their child’s education through workshops and trainings and will hold trainings to enhance the capacity of teachers to support refugee students.