PARTNERSHIP FOR THE ADVANCEMENT & IMMERSION OF REFUGEES

Global Learners is an after-school program for middle school students in which mentors support students in activities designed to build social and emotional skills and promote English language acquisition and communication. Recreation and creative activities and academic enrichment are included in the mix of activities. Homework help is provided as needed. Learners meets two afternoons per week in two-hour sessions for 20 weeks during the school year. Youth meet individually with mentors and in small and large group activities. Learners operates at three schools in the Houston Independent School District. For newly arrived students, sessions include activities that help orient them to school and living in the U.S. The summer Learners program brings together students from all of PAIR's after-school Learners programs for project-based activities, recreation, and filed trips, along with reading activities that reduce summer learning loss. The summer program meets five times per week for three weeks.

PAIR empowers refugee youth to navigate American society, reach their academic potential, and become community leaders through educational and mentoring programs. PAIR improves the lives of young refugees from more than 20 countries around the world as they face the great challenges of learning a new language and adapting to a new way of life. PAIR's programs provide safety and ease the transition, making a life changing difference. Without the support of a welcoming community, there is great risk that youth will struggle in school, experience prejudice and isolation, become disengaged and drop out, thus likely remaining in poverty with little chance of securing a better future. PAIR is the only organization in Houston focused exclusively on the needs of these youth.