Nearly half of our clients are children. Refugee children encounter special challenges. Many have experienced or witnessed violence. They often have had their education interrupted, and have lived insecure lives. Peers are very important for children, and when they arrive in the United States, they are isolated, both culturally and linguistically.
The Refugee Student Services Program at Catholic Charities works with refugee youth from around the world, providing a wide variety of services during their adjustment. We enroll children in school, and coordinate meetings between the families and the teachers, school staff, and administrators. Staff from Student Services visits the children in their classroom to check on their adjustment and to hear from the
teacher and school.
The Student Services Program is an after school program hosted at Catholic Charities for middle and high-school aged students. During this daily program, students receive homework assistance with volunteer tutors, English tutoring, and mental health services if needed. Students who participate in this program show great improvement in their English skills, an often do much better in school. During the summer months, we host a Summer Youth Program at Catholic Charities, which includes intensive English language activities, fun outings in the community, and
exploration of the arts.
Despite their experience with war, violence, deprivation, and flight, we have found that refugee children are among the most resilient people, as the following story show. Like their parents, refugee children have a tremendous ability to bear and overcome challenges.