Resources for youth
Below is our most current list of community resources, organizations, and programs aimed at local refugee and immigrant youth.
PROGRAMS
Art 180 Classes
Art 180 offers a variety of art programs for youth of all ages and specialized programs for teens. Programs have explored a variety of mediums including crafts, painting, drawing, digital animation, podcasting, poetry, fashion design, and audio production.
Cost: Free. Classes include healthy snacks, beverages, and GRTC passes to participants.
Eligibility: Atlas programs are offered to youth ages 14 to 19. Community programs are open to youth in late elementary, middle, and high school.
Location: 114 W Marshal St (Art 180 Headquarters) and varying locations at partnering community centers.
Contact: Maurice Leoni-Osion, maurice@art180.org or (804) 233 4180.
Open Space Education
Open Space Education is an outdoor arts and education program that teaches resilience, creativity, and adaptability.
Cost: Varies and offers self-assessed tuition rates.
Eligibility: Youth in the Greater Richmond area under the age of 18.
Schedule: Varies by class. Classes meet year-round.
Contact: Blythe King, bking.openspace@gmail.com
Class sizes are limited to 9 students
Podium
Podium works to empower youth in the Richmond area with the tools necessary for confidence in writing, career, college, and life skills. Their programs include writing and leadership workshops, weekly creative spaces, and publication opportunities for youth.
Cost: Free.
Eligibility: Youth ages 10-19 can participate in Podium workshops. English proficiency and writing skills required.
Schedule: Programs are offered during the school year and in the summer.
Location: Podium is partnered with a variety of schools and community centers in the Greater Richmond area. Workshops are currently held at the Peter Paul Development Center, Southside Boys & Girls Club, and a variety of Richmond public schools.
Contact: Fill out a request information form
Richmond Young Writers
Richmond Young Writers provides independent and reoccurring writing workshops for youth to share their authentic voices. Workshops are held on journalism, fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and comic writing.
Cost: Varies from $25-105 depending on class and frequency. Full and partial scholarships are offered for all classes.
Eligibility: Youth aged 9-18 in the Greater Richmond area. Classes are separated by age group (9-12, 12-15, 15-18).
Schedule: One-off classes and regular once per week classes are offered during the school year. Week-long programs are offered in the summer.
Time: Varies depending on class. Times offered are weekdays after school hours and weekends.
Contact: richmondyoungwriters@gmail.com
Location: 2707 West Cary Street
RISE
RISE supports youth aged 15-17 on a global scale with opportunities and support as they work to serve others. The program provides mentorship, scholarship connections, access to career development opportunities, funding, technology, leadership and education courses, and networking opportunities to accepted youth.
Cost: Free to apply.
Eligibility: Youth aged 15-17 from any educational, national, or economic background can apply. RISE aims to support brilliant youth with the opportunities needed to succeed.
Requirements: Applicants must submit an original idea for a project that represents their talents and benefits their communities. Projects must be started between October and January of the program year (ex. between October 2022 and January 2023). The RISE program accepts applications in video, text, project, and group interview formats with options for youth with low or no technology. 500 finalists are selected for an interview to communicate their motivations, problem-solving skills, and teamwork abilities related to their project. From this group, 100 youth are chosen as “Global Winners,” and receive benefits to drive their project and careers forward.
Location: Virtual and in-person “Residential Summit” with other Global Winners.
Contact: Complete an application form or contact RISE with any questions.
Science Museum of Virginia
The Science Museum of Virginia is a local museum and educational institution dedicated to promoting STEM learning. They offer a variety of classes and workshops for youth of all ages.
Cost: General admission tickets are required for all classes and workshops. Youth tickets for ages 3-5 are $10.00, 6-12 are $13.50, and 13+ are $16.00. If cost is a barrier for a ReEstablish Richmond youth client, email Erin Harper to discuss a free ticket.
The Science Museum of Virginia also offers reduced ticket pricing for low-income families. Learn more here.
Eligibility: Youth of all ages are eligible to participate in classes or workshops. Individual workshops will list age requirements for attendance.
Location: 2500 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23220
Contact: info@smv.org
EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES
Apprentice Finder with Career Works
The Apprentice Finder search tool helps youth and young adults search for apprenticeship opportunities in their area. Apprenticeships provide an opportunity for youth to earn valuable experience in specific fields.
Cost: Free.
Eligibility: Must be 16 or older unless specified on a job listing.
Youth will be redirected to individual company pages to submit applications.
Henrico County Parks + Rec Summer Camp
The Henrico County Parks and Recreation department hires teens to support their summer day camp programs.
Cost: Free.
Eligibility: Youth 15+, preferably with experience working in a camp or recreation setting.
Schedule: Employees work 8:00am - 3:30pm Mondays through Thursdays from June 20th to August 3rd.
Location: Camps are held at Deep Run Rec Center, Dorey Rec Center, Eastern Henrico Rec Center, and the Springs Rec Center.
Deep Run: 9900 Ridgefield Parkway, Henrico, VA 23233
Dorey: 2999 Darbytown Road, Henrico, VA 23231
Eastern Henrico: 1440 N. Laburnum Avenue, Henrico, VA 23223
Springs: 302 Lee Avenue, Henrico, VA 23075
Benefits: Pay is $15.15/hour and employees receive a free membership to the Deep Run and EHRC Fitness Centers.
Deadlines: Applications for the 2023 summer programs are due May 15.
Contact: camps@henrico.us
Intern Works
Intern Works works with high school and college students to secure internship opportunities in their desired field. They support students throughout their programs with resources for internship and career success. Intern Works offers summer, semester, and gap year positions for students.
Cost: Summer Internship $3500, Research Internship $5500, School Year Internship $3500, Gap Year Internship $4250
Eligibility: The summer, research, and school year internship programs are open to high school and college students 16 and older. The gap year program is open to students 18 and older.
Requirements: Students must submit an application.
Location: Varying depending on internship placement.
Contact: Email info@internworks.com or call 617-527-0055
Job Corps
Job Corps is a government funded program supporting youth aged 16 to 24 to complete their high school degrees, receive career mentorship, and find employment opportunities. They also support students with transitional services, such as finding housing, child care, or employment, after their training program has ended.
Cost: Free. Includes tuition free housing, meals, healthcare, and career transition assistance.
Eligibility: Youth must have a work permit and be 16 to 24 years old.
Program Topics: Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive/Machine Repair, Construction, Finance and Business, Healthcare, Homeland Security, Hospitality, Information Technology, Renewable Resources and Energy, and Transportation
Students enrolled in Job Corps can receive room and board accommodations if necessary for the duration of their program.
Contact: Jennifer Friedman at RO2-RA-PHL@dol.gov
Mayor’s Youth Academy
The Mayor’s Youth Academy provides development opportunities to youth within the city of Richmond including job readiness training, leadership development, exposure to entrepreneurship, mentoring, and career exploration. Their goal is to develop youth for lives as determined and successful citizens.
Cost: Free.
Eligibility: Youth ages 14 to 19 who are enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary educational institution as a full-time student. Youth must reside in the City of Richmond. English proficiency is required.
Schedule: Sessions held in the summer and in the fall.
Contact: Call (804) 646-7480 or email MayorsYouthAcademy@richmondgov.com
Applications for the summer session are due before April 1st. Applications for the fall session are due before September 15.
Pathways to Healthcare Workforce at VCU
This program provides students who are not interested or cannot access college an opportunity for career exploration in a health care organization. They work with students to find entry level healthcare positions and assist in pursuing higher education.
Cost: Free.
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors, recent high school graduates, and GED holders not currently enrolled at a 4-year college or university. Youth must also live in the Greater Richmond Area and be committed to working in their position for one year.
Requirements: Interested participants must submit an application.
Benefits: Participants are paid a minimum of $15/hour and receive employment benefits including tuition assistance.
Location: Varying VCU Medical centers.
An additional program “Pathways Connect,” offers 2-3 day training programs for those with a high school diploma/GED to gain experience working in VCU Health.
Contact: pathways@vcuhealth.org
Richmond City: Counselor in Training (CIT) Program
The Richmond City Parks and Recreation Department offers counselor in training programs to prepare youth for educational or recreational careers. Participants receive First Aid and CPR certifications after training is completed and will assist counselors with summer camp facilitation.
Cost: Free.
Benefits: Youth participants earn $800 if all responsibilities and requirements of the program are met.
Requirements: Attend all training sessions (2.5 hours once a week for six weeks) and work shifts promptly. Stay for the entirety of the shift.
Eligibility: Youth ages 14 and 15 who are enrolled in school and reside in the city of Richmond. English proficiency required.
Schedule: Training sessions held in April and camp program session held during the summer. Online applications for the program become available in March.
Contact: Call (804)646-7480 or email mayorsyouthacademy@richmond.gov
Virginia Career Works- Capital Region Career Advantage Program
The Capital Region Career Advantage Program provides out-of-school youth with resources, training, and opportunities for employment connections.
Cost: Federally funded, free but based on eligibility and availability of program sessions.
Eligibility: Youth must be between 18-24 years old and meet one of the barriers below.
Left school without graduating
Low income and basic skills deficient or an English language learner
Ex-offender
Homeless/runaway/foster care/aged out of foster care/out-of-home placement
Pregnant or parenting
An individual with a disability
Locations: Programs offered in Chesterfield (304 Turner Rd), Henrico (121 Cedar Force Road), and Richmond city (203 E. Cary Street).
Contact:
Chesterfield: 804-652-3490
Henrico: 804-952-6116
Richmond: 804-652-3280
Robert Henry, WIOA State Youth Program Coordinator rhenry@vccs.edu
HIGHER EDUCATION RESOURCES
Admission Support for Refugees at Virginia Commonwealth University
The Global Education Office provides admission support for refugee students interested or enrolled at VCU.
Contact: Email geo@vcu.edu.
Can Afghan Newcomers Access Title IV, Federal Student Aid?
This Switchboard article details how Afghan newcomers can access student aid and what the process looks like.
College Preparation Checklist
This checklist helps students (elementary, middle, and high school), as well as adults and parents, prepare financially and academically for college.
Get Schooled
Get Schooled is a nonprofit based in New York that helps young people get to college and find first jobs. They also reviews college essays for free!
Offers resources on finding a job, resume review, finding scholarships, and working with advisors
Cost: Free.
Grasp VA
This organization helps students and families in the Virginia area with the financial aid process and scholarships so students can make their career or college goals a reality.
Eligibility: High school students at participating school locations. Additional programs available for middle school students.
Locations
Henrico County: Advanced Career Education Center at Hermitage, Advanced Career Education Center at Highland Springs, Deep Run HS, Freeman HS, Glen Allen HS, Godwin HS, Grad Center and Performance Learning Center, Henrico HS, Henrico Virtual Academy, Hermitage HS, Highland Springs HS, Tucker HS, Varina HS, Virginia Randolph
Richmond City: Armstrong HS, Franklin Military, George Wythe HS, Huguenot HS, John Marshall HS, Open HS, Richmond Community HS, Richmond Techinical Center, Thomas Jefferson HS
Cost: Free.
Requirements: Schedule an appointment with the GRASP advisor and complete any necessary forms listed.
Contact: Call 804-923-0059 or contact the GRASP advisor at a particular school.
How Financial Aid Works
This source is for information on preparing for and funding education beyond high school from the U.S. Department of Education.
Michael Wassmer Foundation Scholarship
The Michael Wassmer Foundation provides a scholarship of $7500 annually for up to four years of a student’s college career. Students are selected based on academic achievement, financial need, and how they reflect determination, compassion, resilience and integrity.
Eligibility:
Students must reside in the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, Henrico County, or Hanover County and be graduating high school in the spring of 2023 (or the year in which they apply).
Students must have an unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Students must demonstrate financial need and have completed the FAFSA.
Students must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
Students must intend to enroll in a four-year U.S. college in the fall of their application year (ex. Fall 2023).
Deadlines: Applications become available January 16th and are due March 15.
Requirements: Students must submit their high school transcript, financial aid information, a letter of recommendation, a resume of extracurricular or volunteer activities, a short essay, and a video submission for the application.
Take On College: Summer Fellowship
This program offers one-on-one summer mentorship for students who are currently in the college application process. The program aims to provide comprehensive access to college mapping/planning workshops, application writing, and counseling services to a group of 15 students.
Eligibility:
Student must be a rising senior in High School
Student will be a first-generation college student in the United States (meaning neither of your parents have graduated with a four-year degree from a US college/university)
Student qualifies for free and/or reduced lunch (contact your school counselor if you are unsure)
Student is a resident of the United States or US Territory
Cost: Free.
Dealines: Applications due April 17th by 11:59pm.
Contact: For any general questions, contact info@takeoncollege.org.
Location: Virtual, but based in Seattle so all meeting times are in PST. Students will meet with their program mentor once a week on Mondays from June 19th to July 31st, 2-4pm PDT.
Benefits: Students who attend all seven sessions (one excused absence is allowed) will earn a $100 stipend.
Scholarship Opportunities for Refugees
This platform helps youth to find accredited higher education academic or scholarship programs verified by UNHCR to allow youth to pursue advanced study, skills and professional development.
VASA (Virginia Alternative State Aid)
This informational flyer details more about the Virginia Alternative State Aid application, a financial aid resource for students who are unable to file the FAFSA. Virginians who are nonimmigrants, undocumented, have deferred action for child arrivals (DACA) status, or have other means preventing them from filing the FAFSA should fill out this application.