International Rescue Committee (IRC)
TEAM (Teach, Engage, Achieve, and Motivate) Project
Amount Granted: $40,000

The International Rescue Committee serves refugees and communities victimized by oppression or violent conflict worldwide. The TEAM Project will serve 30 K through 5th graders per day who attend Marshall Elementary and have been in the U.S. less than two years. The goal of the program is to: provide an afterschool program at Marshall Elementary for refugee students to improve their academic performance, self-esteem and civic participation; and to encourage parent involvement in their children’s education.

Students meet for two hours four times per week in groups no larger than four for 44 weeks. Academic enrichment includes English instruction. Parents have weekly opportunities to engage in activities with their children, such as reading circles and computer labs and trainings to teach them parenting and communication skills. Students and parents will co-plan and implement three community service projects. The program will also facilitate referrals to mentoring programs such as Big Brothers.

SDWF funds will be used for hiring a credentialed teacher, a part-time teacher’s assistant and a part-time coordinator as well as supplies and miscellaneous program expenses.