Youth Program

Refugee and immigrant youth face unique challenges. War, displacement, and trauma have often interrupted the educational and social processes for youth and their families. Many refugee and immigrant youth struggle to adjust to a new culture and to overcome traumas experienced in their countries of origin, contributing to low self-esteem, anger and disciplinary issues.

Check out our ReWA Youth Program video, from Cabfare productions, on Vimeo.

ReWA’s Youth Program is committed to providing high quality, culturally relevant services that develop the whole youth. Our mission is to support students in developing and accomplishing their individual goals so that they perform academically in school, pursue their unique passions and interests, and develop deep feelings of self-worth, belonging, curiosity, and investment in their communities. Through parent education and family advocacy, we empower parents to support their youth. We believe in the importance of youth voice and choice, the need for youth to process and formulate their cultural identities, and the combined efforts of parents, family members, school staff and other community partners.

Our vision is a community where all youth – primarily those from refugee, immigrant and low income backgrounds – celebrate and explore their identities, strive to excel academically, prepare for life after adolescence, and share their talents in service to their families, their neighbors, and their world.

ReWA’s Youth Program Offers:

  • Youth Program3rd – 8th Grade STEAM after-school programming  The ReWA’s after school programs include Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). We serve two cohorts of elementary and middle school students from immigrant and refugee families, BIPOC, and English-learning backgrounds. STEAM is a hands-on educational mindset focused on learning about the world around us. STEAM is more than just science, technology, engineering, art, and math: it brings all components together through physical exploration and activities, to engage students.​ ReWA’s after-school program provides a safe, educational, and creative out-of-school-time environment for young people. Program sessions are offered during the school year (October-June) and in the summer (July – August).
  • Targeted ELL academic interventions geared at developing reading comprehension skills, vocabulary, and writing skills.
  • Parent workshops and home visits that build connections between families and schools, while fostering parent engagement in the schools their children attend. ReWA also helps families understand the education system, rights and resources available for ELL students, and post-secondary options as outlined by their children in their Student Individual Plan.
  • Post-Secondary Success Program (PSSP) provides help to youth ages 16-24 who are interested in going to college or vocational schools. PSSP participants receive:
    • one-on-one case management and personalized coaching to help youth achieve their academic goals
    • opportunities for career and major exploration
    • opportunities to visit local colleges
    • personalized scholarship search
    • guidance on writing personal statements
    • assistance to complete the FAFSA or WASFA
    • family-oriented workshops about the application process, financial aid, scholarships and more.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, complete the interest form or contact Kimberly Lee, Program Manager at 206.721.0243 ext 266 kimberly@rewa.org or Keely Coxwell, Program Coordinator, keely@rewa.org.