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Part 6. Our Grants in Action
Empowering youth from refugee backgrounds
Focus Area alignment:
Social Inclusion
Whakauru mai
RAS Youth Services provide sports and activity programmes, development opportunities, and holistic mental health and wellbeing support for young people from refugee backgrounds. It is the youth wing of Refugees as Survivors NZ (RAS).
In 2022, RAS Youth received a multi-year grant to support their Youth Service provider in creating social inclusion opportunities and services for young people with refugee backgrounds.
Holistic services for greater inclusion
Founded in 2011 in response to a request from the Somali community for a sports activity programme, RAS Youth has significantly evolved over the past 13 years. Today, it is a comprehensive youth service that offers a wide range of tailored support for young people from refugee backgrounds resettling in Aotearoa.
“We know that refugee-background youth face unique challenges and opportunities. Adolescence is already a challenging time for anyone, but these young people are also going navigating the challenges of resettlement: new language, new school, new culture, and often holding a lot of responsibility at home to help their parents.” – Faith Barker, RAS Youth Team Leader
The successes of RAS Youth’s programmes can be attributed to the team’s focus on co-designing their offerings with the young people they support. With 90% of the RAS Youth team having lived experiences of the refugee journey, the kaupapa – centred on social inclusion and meaningful participation from young people – remains relevant and responsive to the needs of individuals from refugee backgrounds who access the service.
The holistic approach of RAS Youth is pivotal in supporting young people aged 13 to 22 to thrive in New Zealand. By actively involving the youth in the co-design of the programmes, the service offers a variety of supports, including assistance with finding employment and holiday jobs, youth leadership training, sports, and social recreational activities. The addition of counselling and social work services further enhances the team’s ability to address the diverse needs of the young people they serve.
An ecosystem of support
With a vision for all young people from refugee backgrounds to develop the confidence to be themselves, build respectful relationships, and contribute to an inclusive society where all individuals are valued – RAS Youth’s co-designed programmes enable young people aged 13 - 22 to safely investigate challenging issues, including racism, sexism, and discrimination, in their everyday lives.
Taking a strengths-based approach, RAS Youth offer diverse services and programmes tailored to meet individual needs. Young people are welcomed into RAS Youth through self-referral, referral by another service provider, or via the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre.
“We want to meet youth where they are. If we can bring them in for something they want to do, like playing football or getting their driver license, it’s easier to build that relationship and find out what else they might need support with, like counselling or peer support. And on the other side, if they’re in counselling and feeling lonely, isolated, or unmotivated, it’s great to be able to directly get them involved in our programmes to do something fun, active, and to help them connect with others.” – Faith Barker, RAS Youth Team Leader.
The range of offerings available reflect the diverse needs and experiences of young people. From engaging, pro-social activities and leadership development opportunities through to trauma-informed mental health and wellbeing counselling, RAS Youth programmes aim to bridge gaps in support for people with refugee backgrounds.
Building connections and community
Over time, and in response to feedback from the young people they work with, RAS Youth has refined its programmes to meet the evolving needs young people face in the resettlement process.
Whether they are a high school student needing support with their homework and earning their learner licence or a young person needing more in-depth support, youth are met where they are, and encouraged to access additional support when needed.
When a young person engages with a RASNZ Youth service or participates in a programme for the first time, the team engages in whakawhānaunga to connect, ask questions, and assess whether further opportunities for social engagement or wellbeing support might be beneficial.
To ensure their services extend beyond participation, RASNZ Youth strive to create pathways for individuals accessing their support to become Youth Leaders and work within the organisation. As the Youth Leaders bring their lived experiences to the kaupapa, they are able to foster trust and understanding among young people – an approach that keeps RAS Youth responsive and attuned to the diverse challenges refugee youth resettling in Tāmaki Makaurau face.
“As someone who has been through the refugee experience, I deeply understand the unique challenges our youth face as they navigate their new lives in New Zealand. My role is to not only guide and support them but also to show that ther past does not define their future, it can be a source of strength. When youth see leaders who have walked a similar path and succeeded, it builds trust and inspires them to believe in their own potential, knowing they too can overcome obstacles and thrive.” - Yamen Fares, Youth Programmes Facilitator
Through their programmes and offerings, RAS Youth exemplify the care and consideration required to support young people from diverse backgrounds and experiences effectively. It provides a safe and understanding space for young people from refugee backgrounds to relax, be themselves, ask questions, and receive the support they need.
Want to learn more about RAS Youth?
Read the full story here
