Educating Refugees

Unlike other migrants, refugees face unique challenges that prevent them from realizing their full potential in schools. Therefore, integrating refugees in the host country requires strong support mechanisms some of which are provided non-profit organizations. Refugee support initiatives may provide educational reinforcement and valuable support to help refugees foster positive education outcomes. This chapter examined how programs offered by non-profit organizations that support refugees in one of the Midwestern states in the U.S. reduce barriers to refugee students' high education outcomes. The results indicate that, through collaboration, non-profit organizations provide a wide range of refugee support services such as enrolling kids in school, support to students with disabilities, and a variety of after-school and summer programs. These services help refugee students, manage their traumatic experiences, integrate into schools, to be self-sufficient, and provide a safe learning space thereby cushioning them against barriers that limit their success in school.