The Partnership For The Advancement & Immersion Of Refugees

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Refugee resettlement is a chaotic process, especially for those who immigrate to the United States of America and are not able to speak the English language. Even though it is difficult for many refugees to quickly adapt to the American culture, there is a magnificent program called The Partnership for the Advancement & Immersion of Refugees that will help many young refugee students.
The Partnership for the Advancement & Immersion of Refugees was discovered by several Rice University students that noticed the difficulties refugees were facing when they arrive to the United States of America. In response to the difficulties refugees were facing, the students formed the organization to ease refugees struggle. The group formed The Partnership …show more content…

Holm says “PAIR helps refugee youth through educational mentoring programs that aim to empower students to make healthy, informed decisions as well as foster a sense of community and belonging. Our mission is "to empower refugee youth to navigate American society, reach their academic potential, and become community leaders". I have been a program manager at PAIR since January 2015; first managing the after school programs for middle school students, and then the after school programs for high school students. I also manage PAIR's summer programs for both middle and high school students. PAIR is helping refugees, specifically refugee youth, because there are few resources available for these students. Adults are able to obtain support from the resettlement agencies, but often times there are not comprehensive programs to help support students with cultural adjustment and navigating the school system. PAIR aims to fill that gap. (Holm 2017). Up to 3000 refugees arrive in Houston each year making it the number one destination for refugee resettlement nationwide. Approximately 30% or 500 of these arrivals are children and youth of school age (5-24). This percentage has remained steady in recent years, creating a sizable population of youth in need of special services in the Houston area, most especially in the Houston and Alief school districts. Newly arrived refugee youth face a variety of challenges—social, emotional, and educational. All experience dislocation; many have experienced trauma. They must adjust to a very different culture and lifestyle, often isolated from other students, facing prejudice and conflicting cultural demands. Most arrive with deficiencies in their education and limited English proficiency. Challenges to academic success make them susceptible to school failure and other risky behaviors. Yet education beyond high school is now essential to success and well-being in

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