The International Rescue Committee in New York and New Jersey, St Urban Concerts, and renown Syrian clarinetist and composer Kinan Azmeh are pleased to announce a partnership to support the Refugee Youth Summer Academy in Elizabeth, New Jersey. This summer program provides a supportive and healing environment that helps refugee children overcome the trauma of forced migration. Through educational, recreational, and social activities, students improve their English language skills and their confidence, enabling them to assimilate in their new communities and become engaged citizens. St Urban and Kinan Azmeh will donate 50% of the sales of the album Songs For Days To Come, Vol. 1 to help 70 refugee youth participate in the summer academy. 

Aliyah came to the US with her two children in 2016 and Maria arrived in December 2018 with her husband and eight children. Both came to the U.S. looking for a better future for their families. They are a part of the Women’s Employability Program (WEP) at the IRC Baltimore, which is program that supports women in overcoming obstacles to working in the U.S. The women in the WEP program are a network for each other.

NJ's fifth Refugee Youth Summer Academy explored new territory as a virtual program to keep young learners safe this year.