Announcement
Youth Futures is IRC in Iowa's academic tutoring and mentoring program for refugee and immigrant youth. Building on a successful Des Moines pilot, IRC is expanding the program into a coordinated, multi-city model — with dedicated staff covering Iowa City and Cedar Rapids — to meet demand that has consistently outpaced available slots.
The need
64% of youth served by the IRC in Iowa since opening in 2022 have arrived speaking no English, and many arrive with interrupted formal education. Refugee youth must simultaneously learn English, adjust to a new school system, catch up academically, and navigate social-emotional adjustment — creating urgent demand for culturally responsive academic support.
Many adult refugee arrivals come from years, if not decades, living in refugee camps or marginalized in urban displacement. They have had limited access to English language learning or skills building in digital or financal literacy. Digital skills are critical to finding and maintaining employment in many sectors as is mastering household budget management to ensure financial security and self-sufficiency.
Track record:
- 316 children and youth enrolled in early childhood, K–12, and postsecondary programs
- 121 youth ages 15–24 supported through education and integration services
- 86% of students enrolled in school within 30 days in Iowa City
- Partnerships with past and present include the school districts including Des Moines Public Schools, West Des Moines, Iowa City Community, Clear Creek Amana, and soon Cedar Rapids Community School District.
