Training & Mentorship

The RDC serves many youths and adults through several different projects and activities. We provide youth with the resources to excel in their educational environments, whether that’s school supplies or scholarships. Additionally, we offer a number of youth mentorship which involves offering psychosocial support, accompaniment, college essay support, and applications, peer support, and an opportunity to build interpersonal and social relationships.

 Homework Helpers

Homework Helpers is an innovative program pioneered by the Refugee Dream Center that serves both refugee children and their caretaker(s). This program primarily targets younger refugee children of primary school age. Our volunteers are available for tutoring at the center, especially during the school year. Students can come in for help with homework or any other academic project. They can work with other students or one-on-one with a tutor depending on their specific academic needs.

Additionally, as we know, refugees often lack childcare services which can prevent them from actively participating in their communities. So, Homework Helpers also functions as a form of child care here at the center. All individuals who participate in any of our classes or workshops are encouraged to bring their children with them — we always have volunteers present to entertain our students’ children and assist them with homework while their parents learn.  

Refugee Youth Program:

The Refugee Youth Dream is a model of mentoring, geared towards helping young people realize their dreams through self-esteem building, leadership training, and community service. It provides a space for diverse groups of young people to form friendships, share stories, and build cross-cultural communication skills. The program primarily engages with refugee teens and young adults, who often face challenges in acculturation and education. The program creates a positive and empowering space for youth to develop critical leadership and communication skills; it places particular emphasis on helping refugee youth to identify their strengths and become empowered to create an enduring and vibrant community of their own, here, in Rhode Island.

 The program runs on alternating Fridays from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Refugee Dream Center during the school year. If you are interested in mentoring these youth in the 2023-24 school year please email us. 

Youth Domestic Abuse Prevention:

Due to past success with our youth mentorship program focusing on addressing domestic violence, we were able to expand this project into its own program. We convened a cohort of 20 refugee youth to participate in a 3-month program dedicated to discussing domestic and intimate partner violence, and related topics. The cohort met twice a month for their training, with sessions lasting between 2 to 3 hours. These trainings are led by Dr. Omar Bah, with the help of two established staff – a youth mentor, a caseworker, and a program coordinator. We found that this program created a strong support network for refugee youth as a source for guidance and inspiration, and for practical references to useful opportunities and resources for growth.

Youth Soccer LeagueOur youth soccer league: The Dream Team! This program is for refugee youths of all genders ages 16 and up. Youths meet regularly to play soccer together and make friends in the community. 

Adult Education

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at the Refugee Dream Center is designed to support resettled, adult refugees residing in the state of Rhode Island, supported by both ESOL Professionals and volunteers from surrounding high schools and colleges. The program aims to promote student achievement and self-sufficiency in order to ensure equal access to education for all students.  Classes are designed to support adult refugees in attaining sufficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing English. The courses employ a curriculum focused on interpersonal English language, crucial job skills, and vocabulary, while maintaining relevancy to U.S. history and civics. Differentiated instructions serve the unique needs of each participant for varied levels of proficiency.

English literacy and basic computer literacy is monitored using formative and summative assessments. Through the implementation of an ESOL curriculum that incorporates interpersonal communication skills for the workplace and other crucial job skills, beneficiaries gain the knowledge and confidence to locate and obtain employment, and/or pursue secondary/post-secondary education. Individualized learning plans are built around critical consciousness, the communicative method, and customized instruction for each student’s level, needs, and goals.

Citizenship Classes

U.S. citizenship classes, taught by long-term volunteer tutor Len Newman, are designed to to help our community members be better prepared to take the citizenship test when the time comes. Mr. Newman and a group of 6 students meet once a week at the center to prepare for their exams, while other students work with 1:1 mentors to gain additional support in their studies. All students should be at a minimum intermediate level of English level as well as an understanding of the U.S. government’s functions. Classes are held weekly.

For more information, please contact us at info@refugeedreamcenter.org

Job Training

Job training centers around the goal of helping our community members transition and integrate into U.S. workforce culture. Working alongside case management, this program facilitates coaching and employment support such as resume building, interview skill preparation, job search, and obtaining and maintaining employment.