Rebekah Bikes 90 Miles for Karen Youth
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Karen Organization of MinnesotaEvery dollar donated goes to support KOM's Youth Program that makes a positive difference in the lives of refugee youth!
$100
raised by 1 people
$300 goal
Three years ago, I started mentoring two Karen girls who had just arrived in the U.S. The girls were 15 and 18 years old, and spoke very little English. My friend and I would go to their house every week to practice speaking English with them, cook Karen food, and help their family understand the many systems in the U.S. -- insurance, Internet service, driving laws, and more.
This was my first time building a relationship with refugee youth, and I learned about the many challenges they face in the U.S. Obviously, one of the biggest barriers is language. Thankfully, many refugee youth are enrolled in ELL (English Language Learning) classes at their school which helps them develop their English language skills in a slower-paced and supportive school environment. But there are many other challenges that refugee youth face, such as: unfamiliarity with American culture and systems, loneliness or depression, and family expectations.
That's where the Karen Organization of Minnesota's (KOM) Youth Program steps in. KOM's Youth Program provides leadership training, cultural arts classes (weaving & dancing), youth mentorship, and academic support for Karen and other refugee youth from Burma in St. Paul Public Schools. Having worked for KOM for 2 years and mentored Karen youth, I know how much this program impacts the youth. Youth who go though KOM's program are more likely to do well in school, increase their confidence, preserve their Karen culture, and help other refugee youth who have gone through similar struggles as them.
My goal is to raise $300 in the month of July while biking 90 miles to support KOM's Youth Program. Biking is one of my passions, but what I am even more passionate about is making a positive impact in the lives of refugee youth so they can grow up to give back to their community and share their story of resilience. KOM's Youth Program empowers Karen youth so they can reach their dreams, share their Karen heritage with others, and overcome the many barriers put before them. Join in the cause, and be part of the difference that transforms the lives of these youth. Ta blut doh mah!
This was my first time building a relationship with refugee youth, and I learned about the many challenges they face in the U.S. Obviously, one of the biggest barriers is language. Thankfully, many refugee youth are enrolled in ELL (English Language Learning) classes at their school which helps them develop their English language skills in a slower-paced and supportive school environment. But there are many other challenges that refugee youth face, such as: unfamiliarity with American culture and systems, loneliness or depression, and family expectations.
That's where the Karen Organization of Minnesota's (KOM) Youth Program steps in. KOM's Youth Program provides leadership training, cultural arts classes (weaving & dancing), youth mentorship, and academic support for Karen and other refugee youth from Burma in St. Paul Public Schools. Having worked for KOM for 2 years and mentored Karen youth, I know how much this program impacts the youth. Youth who go though KOM's program are more likely to do well in school, increase their confidence, preserve their Karen culture, and help other refugee youth who have gone through similar struggles as them.
My goal is to raise $300 in the month of July while biking 90 miles to support KOM's Youth Program. Biking is one of my passions, but what I am even more passionate about is making a positive impact in the lives of refugee youth so they can grow up to give back to their community and share their story of resilience. KOM's Youth Program empowers Karen youth so they can reach their dreams, share their Karen heritage with others, and overcome the many barriers put before them. Join in the cause, and be part of the difference that transforms the lives of these youth. Ta blut doh mah!