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 In the Spotlight: We would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who helped make
the May 19 PAIR Benefit Cocktail Hour a success. We couldn't have done
it without you!
As part of our Spring Capital Campaign, this fun event raised essential funds to keep our programs running.
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Programs
Saturday Sessions:
Newly-arrived refugee youth in grades 6-8 (ages 12-14) participate in a
year-long program of cultural orientation, academic enrichment, and mentoring
in two-hour sessions each Saturday during the academic year. Sessions take
place on the Rice University campus, in the state-of-the-art Language Resource
Center, classrooms, and outdoor spaces; in the community room in the apartments
where many participants live; and at field trip sites throughout the area.
Group activities are engaging and educational, covering topics such as health,
safety, nutrition, exercise, hygiene, handling stress, succeeding in school,
managing relationships with family and friends, dealing with bullying and bias,
and celebrating the diverse cultures of America—especially their own. Sessions
also bolster academic skills, especially English. Students are matched with
Rice volunteers who commit to attending a majority of sessions for the year and
are trained as mentors. Twenty-four refugee youth were enrolled in Saturday
Sessions in the fall 2009 semester. A core group of 13 volunteers met with
them. The program has 25 refugee youth this semester and as many volunteers.
Saturday Sessions' goals and objectives include assisting participants in
achieving a smoother transition to their new home and school and a greater
understanding of American and school culture; more positive attitudes toward
school; increased social competence, self-esteem and confidence; increased
interest and participation in school activities; improved English skills; more
positive relationships with peers and adults; and greater academic success.
Mentoring & Tutoring (M & T):
For two hours per session after school, volunteers meet with students
who are referred by the teaching and counseling staff at Fondren Middle School
to provide homework help, English language practice, and supportive
relationships. Rice volunteers serve two days per week; high school students
from the Sharpstown International High School serve one day each week. In the
fall semester, thirty-two refugee youth participated in M&T. Between 7 and
14 Rice students and 8-13 Sharpstown students assisted weekly. This semester 38
refugee students, 30 Rice volunteers, and eight Sharpstown students are
participating the program. M&T assists participants in developing more
positive attitudes toward school, achieving greater academic success,
developing more positive relationships with peers and adults, and continuing
their education through high school and beyond.
College Counseling & College Orientation Day: PAIR's
College Counseling meets in two-hour sessions once weekly 10 times each
semester with high-school-aged refugee students. Participants are paired with
Rice volunteers, who share their college application experience and conduct
weekly workshops that cover topics including career exploration, academic
planning, SAT preparation, college essay writing, participating in
extra-curricular activities, and writing a resume, among others. Each workshop
contains a lesson with the entire group, as well as a small group activity
component, in which refugee students develop personal educational plans and
goals and work on their applications. College Counseling works to increase
understanding of the value and possibility of higher education, of the college
application process, testing performance, academic planning and correct course
selection, high school graduation rates, interviewing skills, knowledge of
financial aid options, number of college and aid applications submitted, number
of successful applications, and number of youth attending higher education.
Once per semester, PAIR
brings a group of refugee youth from one of its programs or other youth
identified by resettlement agencies to Rice University’s campus for a College
Orientation Day (COD). Refugee students take a tour of the Rice campus, hear
from a speaker on the benefits of higher education, and see firsthand the life
of a college student. Thirty-nine
refugee youth participated in College Counseling in the fall semester. A group
of 10 Rice student and community volunteers assisted weekly. For the fall
semester, COD hosted 32 high-school-aged refugee youth on the Rice campus, with
11 Rice student volunteers in attendance. College Counseling is serving 34
youth this semester with 12 volunteers. COD will be maintained at about the
fall capacity in the spring semester.
Vision
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PAIR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Houston, Texas.
Please contact us at PAIR.Houston@gmail.com.6440 Hillcroft, Suite 210, Houston, TX 77081 | (713) 771 - 1111