The IRC in Silver Spring’s youth mentorship program supports young newcomers by fostering their personal growth, social integration and career readiness. 

“Through weekly sessions, the program enables youth to build confidence, navigate cultural and academic challenges and develop the skills needed to thrive in their new communities,” says Humaira, a youth success specialist at the IRC. 

In the ongoing Fall 2025 cohort, 45 volunteers from across the Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia area are paired with newcomers ages fifteen to twenty-four. 

Over four months, the pairs engage in fun educational activities that strengthen the connection between the mentor and mentee. “Many mentees report increased self-esteem, improved English language skills and a stronger sense of belonging,” Humaira observes.

Sarah* is a young newcomer from West Africa and a mentee matched with Sophia, an IRC youth mentor, during this Fall’s mentorship cohort. Through weekly virtual sessions, the pair explore Sarah’s goals beyond high school, research academic programs and navigate the college application process. After learning Sarah’s interests, Sophia has connected her mentee’s skills and personality to careers in which she may excel. After several meetings with Sophia, Sarah is able to articulate her goal of pursuing nursing or pharmacy studies - careers which combine her natural empathy and leadership with a desire to give back to her community.  

In addition to weekly mentor sessions, the IRC organizes field trips designed to expose students to higher education alternatives and to understand the process of pursuing a degree. On a recent trip to Howard Community College (HCC), Sarah caught her first glimpse of campus life; mentees observed classes, toured the campus and spoke to an admissions counselor about applying to HCC. Because this was Sarah’s first time on a college campus in the United States, she felt like she was in a museum:

When I entered the school, I felt like my soul was connected to it, and that’s why I wanted to apply.

 For some newcomers, higher education in the U.S. is new or may seem inaccessible. For Sarah, the field trip was a moment of inspiration and a first step toward her career goal in nursing or pharmacy studies.  

By connecting youth with mentors, the IRC ensures that students like Sarah have the tools they need to thrive in their future endeavors and pursue opportunities like higher education. Sophia shares, "It has been inspiring to see Sarah’s enthusiasm grow each week as we have worked together to build a real pathway toward college." Sarah’s journey highlights how individual guidance can help youth set goals and then transform these into reality.  

*Client name changed to preserve their anonymity.