Invest in the Tucson Community with the Refugee Youth Mentorship Program
Change a life. Become a mentor.
For many refugee youth, resettlement in the United States can be an isolating experience. From experiencing the horrors of war to losing loved ones, the journey of survival is one that can leave a lasting impact long after they’ve found safety in a new country.
By matching mentors with refugee status youth, RYMP aims to foster self discovery, create a strong sense of community, and equip refugees to successfully navigate new systems while honoring their own cultural contributions to society. In doing so, we envision a world where refugee status youth are able to make a deep connection with the Tucson community through reciprocal, strength-based mentorship, in order that they may become empowered self-advocates that will invest in others.
Beliefs
Reciprocity: We believe in the power of collaboration and community partnerships. We actively participate in the exchange of time and resources so the community can best support refugee status youth.
Intercultural Exchange: Mentorship serves all participants, resulting in enhanced perspectives, deeper cultural understanding, and a sense of belonging.
Growth Mindset: Creating a culture where effort, hard work and perseverance result in self-discovery and personal growth.
Reinvestment: Participants will become a voice and advocate for the community. This is an opportunity in leadership and innovation that will ensure the sustainability of community partnerships and the Ambassador Program.
Wellness: We strive to have all RYMP staff and mentors be trauma-informed; and promote a culture of safety, mindfulness, self-care, empowerment, connection, stability and healing.
Our program has been featured by KGUN and KJZZ, which highlighted the hard work put in by both mentors and mentees. Check them out below and learn how you can become part of helping refugee youth!
What Does Mentorship Look Like?
The yearly program is divided into seasonal cohorts in tandem with academic semesters: fall, spring, and summer. Each cohort will have between 15 - 20 spots available. If a mentee meets our program eligibility, the RYMP Case Manager will complete a needs assessment to help identify the mentee's needs and establish their primary goal. Both mentors and mentees attend a separate Program Orientation/Refugee 101 to participate in the program. Mentees are matched with mentors based on a set of criteria: gender, hobbies/interests, proximity in the community, and schedule availability. Once matched in a 1:1 ratio, mentors and mentees will meet each other at the Kickoff Event. At the Kickoff Event, mentors and mentees will talk about their primary and any secondary goals and will create a plan and schedule for their meetings. Mentees and mentors will make contact at least once a week (digitally) and twice a month in-person. Mentees complete their goal! Mentors end their mentorship or begin with a new mentorship cycle.
““The mentorship program with LSS is a two-way street - the youth in the program are teachers, too! I love learning about their customs, their families, their wishes, and their hopes. Developing friendships with this community is a large part of what makes Tucson an amazing city to live in.” ”
Erica & Nazaneen enjoying our partnership with the Tucson Museum of Art (September 2020)
“It has been my honor and privilege to have been able to be part of this Mentoring Program. Throughout the past several months I had the opportunity to foster a relationship with my mentee that has helped me grow in infinite ways. As a mentor, it allowed me the opportunity to share my experience with my mentee. It reinforced my belief that we have to give back what we take from the community to continue the cycle. During my time I was able to see my mentee improve and grow with self-confidence, communication skills, and motivation. We had so much fun exploring the wonders of Tucson and running around trails. I am forever grateful for this experience.”
How can i get involved?
Currently, there are about 40 mentors and mentees in the program, and we’re actively looking for those who want to get involved and change the world around them one life at a time.
We match mentors and mentees every Fall, Spring and Summer. The minimum commitment to this role is 4 months, but the relationships each mentor and mentee build last far longer. Our mentors understand this and strive to help their mentees accomplish their goals. Be part of that change by becoming a mentor today!
If interested, fill out the Tucson Refugee Youth Mentorship Interest Form here. Please note, mentors must be based in Tucson. This is not a virtual opportunity.
For refugee status young adults seeking a mentor, please fill out the Tucson Refugee Mentee Interest form here.
For more information on Refugee & Immigration Services at LSS-SW, click here.
“What we’re trying to do is create a sense of belonging and a social network between refugees and the Tucson community. Instead of calling people out we are calling people in. We’re trying to grow in a meaningful way—quality is important.”
Refugee Youth Mentorship Program overview
Our program has been featured by KGUN and KJZZ, which highlighted the hard work put in by both mentors and mentees. Check them out below and learn how you can become part of helping refugee youth!
TPD partners with local organization to help refugee youth
Mentor Program Aims To Help Tucson Refugees Integrate
Behind the effort to help Afghan refugees feel at home in Tucson
Enjoy a video of a mentor and mentee pair, Malika and Lupita, sharing their story at the LSS-SW Building Foundations Event in March of 2021:
Refugee Voices Project
Directed by Zaskia Villa, Crown Chimp Productions
For more information, please contact the team
Program Development Coordinator Precious Weah PWeah@lss-sw.org
Case Manager & Mentee Specialist, Melissa Benvegno-Bryant mgenvegno@lss-sw.org.