Refugee Youth Mentorship Program

ORIA Program Manager:

Whitney Eich
Whitney.Eich@dshs.wa.gov

 

The DSHS Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance’s Refugee Youth Mentoring program provides funding to match eligible youth, ages 18-24, with mentors who will support successful integration and help youth thrive.

The program’s goals are to promote positive civic and social engagement and support individual educational and vocational advancement for eligible youth.

Case managers support youth by performing an initial assessment of the needs and goals of each youth and work together to develop a plan to meet those needs through educational, vocational or social services.

Eligibility

Individuals may be eligible for the Refugee Youth Mentorship Program if they:

  • Are 18-24 years of age.
  • Are current residents of Washington state.
  • Have lived in the United States for five years or less.
  • Have not naturalized as U.S. citizens.
  • Have an immigration status that makes them eligible for federally funded refugee services from the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement. For more information about ORR eligibility, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Service Providers

View a list of Refugee Youth Mentorship Program service providers on our interactive resource tool.