Program Summary

IRCO's SSSES programs provide a variety of culturally specific youth, family and community services for two immigrant/refugee communities:  African and Asian Pacific Islander. Youth are provided with school linked services and activities such as homework assistance, mentoring, case management, service learning opportunities, and field trips to educational institutions.

IRCO's bilingual/ bicultural staff also work closely with parents to enhance their knowledge of the US educational system and to facilitate ways for parents to support their children's educational goals. Parent and community services include: adult education, family engagement, group and family support.

Tags: programs | SSSES

Program Summary

The African Immigrant Mentoring (AIM) program is a one-on-one, community-based mentoring program that matches young African immigrants and refugees in SE Portland with an adult mentor from the community.  Students selected for the program are those with the highest needs and who could benefit from having a positive role model.  Youth receive 12 months of mentoring and follow a service learning curriculum taught by project staff.  Those who complete 12 months of mentoring and the curriculum have an opportunity to be a peer mentor to new youth in the program and to have leadership opportunities on IRCO's African Youth Advisory Council.

Tags: programs

IRCO’s Supplemental Educational Services (SES) program provides tutoring in math and English in small-group settings at schools in the Portland Public Schools system. All IRCO SES tutors have current teaching licenses. To enhance the value of the tutoring, IRCO tutors maintain close contact with students’ teachers and parents. IRCO’s SES tutoring is provided after regular school hours through SUN schools and is offered free-of-charge. IRCO is currently tutoring at George Middle School.

Tags: programs

Program Summary

As part of Multnomah County's Youth Gang Prevention Services, IRCO's Asian Family Center runs the culturally specific Asian Pacific Islander component of the County gang prevention program. The focus of the program is to improve resiliency, pro-social, employment and educational skills, to increase student retention and provide advocacy and education around the needs of youth at risk of gang involvement.

IRCO's bilingual/bicultural case managers work with young people and their families to provide mentoring and sustained social, academic and behavioral support to reduce at risk factors. Case managers also provide employment skills training for out of school youth in the form of life skills training and employment services such as job shadowing and job placement.

Tags: programs | youth