Refugee Youth Success and Empowerment (RYSE) Initiative

RYSE (pronounced "rise") Initiative is developing the infrastructure to provide programmatic support for mentorship programs to organizational staff at refugee-serving partner organizations, facilitate cross-collaboration and sharing of best practices amongst refugee youth mentors, and transfer relevant and applicable life skills and growth opportunities to young adult refugees.

The goal of traditional U.S. refugee resettlement agencies is to get families financially stable as quickly as possible. This means agencies focus on the breadwinner of the family. While important, this goal can sideline young adult family members who also need guidance on navigating education, careers, and everyday life in a new country. RYSE’s vision is to empower young adult refugees living in the United States with the contextual life skills to pursue opportunities for further education, career choices, self-sufficiency, and self-actualization in their new home with the support of the local community.