Youth and School Services Program

It’s difficult growing up anywhere in the world today, but imagine the challenges confronting children who have known the horrors of war and persecution.  Forced to flee their homelands, they arrive in metro Atlanta, often unable to speak English and unfamiliar with our schools and customs.  They must quickly adapt to their new lives if they are to succeed.

To help these children, RFS provides a variety of ongoing programs that can make the life-changing difference toward a future of self-sufficiency.  The goal of the RFS Youth and School Services Program is to provide quality, holistic services which guide refugee youth towards success.  This program serves refugee students, many of whom have histories of interrupted schooling, life in refugee camps, and little English language education. 

School Liaison Program

The Refugee Family Services School Liaison program serves as a link between refugee/immigrant parents and schools by providing advocacy, interpretation, problem solving assistance, and cultural consultations.

Download the RFS School Liaison Program Manual

The goal of the program is to connect parents from multiple ethnic and cultural backgrounds to the U.S. School system so that they might become more involved in their child’s education and learn to engage independently with their child’s school, to ensure the academic success and overall integration of refugee and immigrant youth.

Gwinnett County School System

GCPS is notably known as the largest school system in Georgia, with an estimated enrollment of 159,258 students, including international students speaking more than 100 languages for the 2007-2008 year. Nearly 36,000 students’ primary home language is Spanish, followed in numbers by Korean, Vietnamese, South Asian languages, African, and Russian.  Over 24,000 students served last school year were born outside of the United States.  GCPS is estimated to be the 15th largest school district in the U.S. 

Gwinnett County Description of Program and Services

The Gwinnett School Liaison Program serves refugee parents and school personnel in Gwinnett County Schools.  We provide free interpretation services in languages spoken by refugees and asylees from countries such as Myanmar (Burma), Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, Vietnam, Iraq, Iran, Cuba, Colombia, Afghanistan and Bosnia.  RFS School Liaison Program staff members and interpreters provide the following services:

• Assist and advocate for parents in critical communications with school personnel regarding academic, behavioral, special education issues, school registration and withdrawal, through interpretation and cultural guidance.

• Orientation to refugee parents on the American School system and their role and responsibilities related to their children’s education.  We also offer tailored orientation based on individual needs such as special education, online services for parents, and disciplinary procedures to name a few.

• Parent referrals to free ESL classes in Gwinnett County. 

To request an interpreter or refer a student, please contact the program coordinator

School Liaison Coordinator
Languages:  English, Bosnian

Anasstasia Hardy
School Liaison
Languages: Russian, English

After-School Program

Our After-School Programs provide a supportive environment for 1st through 12th grade refugee youth.  Students complete their homework assignments and work on creative projects.  Additionally, new arrival students (in the U.S. 2 years or less) receive daily specialized curriculum focused on building basic English language skills. 

Summer Camp

Our Summer Camp serves refugee youth in grades 1st through 8th for an 8-week period each Summer.  The camp involves students in educational and recreational activities:  field trips, art, gardening, dancing, reading, writing and more. 

One-to-One Tutoring

High-quality mentors and tutors are matched with refugee youth in grades 1st through 12th for individual academic support.  The One-to-One Coordinator conducts student evaluations and individually designs curriculum that introduces and reinforces core English language skills that are needed to succeed in school.  This relationship offers the youth special attention and encourages growth and the development of confidence.

Youth Empowered for Success (YES) Program

Through the YES Program, refugee students between the ages of 14-19 receive the support and resources they need to succeed academically, emotionally, and professionally.  RFS staff, volunteer mentors, and local businesses work in collaboration to provide academic tutoring, case management, job readiness and financial literacy training, and employment education for refugee high school students.