The IU Public Policy Institute partnered with the Immigrant Welcome Center and several IUPUI schools and offices to develop the multidisciplinary RHYME refugee youth mentoring program. RHYME—which stands for Resilience, Healing, You, Mindfulness, Expression—addresses the needs of refugee youth and their families living in the Indianapolis area. The RHYME curriculum was designed to help students build the skills and connections necessary to thrive in their new community and to envision a path to college after completing high school.
The inaugural RHYME summer camp included refugee teens attending Indianapolis Public Schools and other metropolitan school districts in Perry, Washington, and Wayne townships. During camp week, high school students participated in a program modeled after the Your Life. Your Story: Latino Youth Summit.
Activity leaders and mentors assisted teens in building resiliency, problem-solving, and communication skills through a series of fun, team-building, and creative expression activities. Campers also learned their way around the IUPUI campus including Hine Hall, the Campus Center, and Cavanaugh Hall.
