Hope Refugee FLY Program (Focused Learning for Youth)

The Hope Refugee FLY Program began in October 2007 with the ultimate goal of assisting middle school refugee students achieve grade level as they face the challenges of integrating into the American education system. Our after school program focuses primarily on literacy and math, as these skills are foundational to academic success. Staff and volunteers help facilitate one-on-one and small-group tutoring to give kids individualized attention to best meet their needs. While the focus of the program is academic, we strive to form supportive mentoring relationships to address each student’s holistic needs: social, emotional, behavioral, and educational. We run Monday through Friday during the school year, as well as providing a six week summer enrichment program.

• In summer 2010 the FLY Program moved to a new, more spacious location at the Loretto Ministry Center. Our students now have use of two large and two small classrooms as well as a large gym and outdoor play area.
• This year, FLY grew from 16 students to 30 students. The make-up of the FLY student body also changed from a primarily African group of students to a mixture of African, Asian, and Middle Eastern students.
• The number of our staff members has also doubled. Our AmeriCorps volunteers grew from 2 to 4, and we have employed two additional reading instructors.
• The program achieved New York certification as a childcare program in December 2010.

FLY By the Numbers:

• 92% of parents felt that their child was doing better in school as a result of attending FLY.
• 80% of students demonstrated increased ELA/Reading scores.
• 78% of students said FLY made them more interested in going to school.
• 23 volunteers served with FLY.
• 14 field trips were enjoyed by students during the school year.

Get involved! Click here for volunteer opportunities.

For more information on the Hope Refugee FLY Program, contact Claire Essley at Claire.Essley@jrm-buffalo.org