Back to School: Standing with Refugee and Immigrant Students

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If you’ve ever been a parent, parental figure, or have known one, you know parenting is hard. 

As a father of three, I know well the sleepless nights, urgent trips to the doctor, nerves before the big test or the big game. And every back-to-school season comes with hopes and worries. Do my kids have everything they need? 

That’s why our compassion matters so much this time of year. 

For families who have sought safety in the U.S. after being forced to flee their homes due to war or persecution, back-to-school season can carry an even heavier weight. Parents are not only buying supplies and helping children adjust to new teachers. They are trying to help their children rebuild after trauma and loss. Parents like José’s. 

José’s Story

As political instability spiraled out of control in Cuba, Jose’s parents faced threats and persecution. They realized that the best hope for their children’s future lay outside their home country. So they made the heartbreaking decision to flee. 

Thanks to the generosity of people like you, José’s family was welcomed by World Relief in Memphis. José and his sister were enrolled in school. His parents received support through English classes and job training. Piece by piece, the family rebuilt their lives. 

But two years later, when José was 14, his parents noticed he was struggling. He spent hours isolated in his room and had trouble expressing his emotions. José had been marked by the loss of home, friends, language and belonging.  

That’s when he joined the Amal For Children program through World Relief Memphis and everything changed. 

Amal for Children is a psychosocial support program that helps children understand and manage difficult emotions through stories, videos and guided activities. It teaches coping skills such as breathing, relaxation and emotional regulation to build resilience and help children feel safe and supported.

Not unlike many teenagers, José wasn’t sure about joining at first. But when he finally walked through the doors, he found something he wasn’t expecting: a space where he belonged. 

“Participating in this program helped me meet new people and have a space to talk about experiences, emotions, and perspectives — both my own and those of others,” José shared. “I had the opportunity to speak about feelings and things I don’t usually talk about at home.”

Today, José feels more confident, grounded and excited for his future. He’d love to study graphic design and help his family continue rebuilding their lives. 

You Can Help This Back-To-School Season

This back-to-school season, José’s story reminds us that refugee and immigrant students need more than a backpack full of supplies to thrive. 

They need parents who feel supported. They need a safe place to belong. They need trusted adults who will come alongside their families when grief and stress threaten to pull them apart.  

Right now, refugee and immigrant parents across the U.S. are preparing their children for a new school year while carrying the weight of rebuilding after loss, trauma and upheaval. They are doing everything they can to help their children flourish. But they cannot do it alone. 

Your gift today helps World Relief come alongside families with the support, community and guidance they need to thrive. Through Amal for Children and our other programs that provide mentorship, youth activities and mental health support for children and their families, students like José can start the school year with confidence, connection and hope. 

Will you give today so kids and families get the support they need for a hopeful future? 

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