Launching PAVE the Way

written by Emma Bartley

Today was a big day and I’m so excited!  I’ve been planning for this day for many, many months and it FINALLY came to fruition!

PAVE THE WAY: Paving the way for refugee students on the path to higher education!

Today, Kate H. and I, along the help of Alix at Catholic Charities, launched PAVE the Way!  PAVE stands for Promoting And Valuing Education and is a program designed to help students, who have come through refugee resettlement services, navigate the college application process.  Through a series of meetings and workshops, we will connect refugee students with college counselors & student mentors from Assumption High School & Sacred Heart Academy, as well as resources within our community.

Our dream…to pave the way for some phenomenal students, to help them attain their goal of going to college, and ultimately, to help them reach their greatest potential!

Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world!”  Nelson Mandela

It all started the day that I met Malkia.   One of the most inspiring individuals I’ve ever met, Malkia came from Rwanda as a refugee almost two years ago.  When she stepped off the plane in the US, she was most excited about going back to school.  As a sacrifice for her beloved family, she had stopped going to school in Rwanda so that her younger siblings could attend.  As I talked with her, she explained how highly she and her mother valued education.  Her goal was to go to “university.”

However the more we talked, I realized that the path to college would be more confusing for Malkia than it was for me.  For starters, her school didn’t have a dedicated college counselor, like mine does.  As a result, getting information about applying to college (and paying for college) would be more challenging.   On top of that, she isn’t as familiar with the US educational system, and her mom isn’t proficient in English, so would have greater challenges helping Malkia navigate college applications, the ACT, and the FAFSA form.  My older sister was going through the college application process when I met with Malkia, and I knew how often my parents helped her while she was applying.  As I left that first meeting with Malkia, I was determined to bridge those gaps for Malkia and others like her!  Malkia is an amazing girl with amazing potential, and I wanted her to have the same resources that I did.  I have no doubt that Malkia will take advantage of a great education and our world will be blessed by it!

We all know that education unlocks the door of opportunity for the young.”  George B. Hinckley

Once I had the idea in my head and brainstormed with my mom, I reached out to two people:

1. Alix, the Refugee Youth Services Coordinator at Catholic Charities, who I met while volunteering at the Catholic Charities ESL School.  Alix has supported and facilitated PAVE from the very beginning.  She has helped me to better understand the needs of individuals who have come to the US as refugees, and helped us connect with students interested in applying to college.  She has also offered support and supplies (including ACT practice books for every PAVE student!), and has been as excited and committed to PAVE as I have been!
2. Kate H, a She-Is-Fierce team member, who is a compassionate, hard-working person.  I knew Kate who would be as committed to PAVE as I am, and of course, she has been!  Kate and I have worked together to brainstorm ideas, contact student mentors and counselors, and create our workshop presentations.

And so…today it began!

We had our first informational meeting and have begun the process.  Next we will be matching our PAVE students with student mentors from AHS and SHA.  In February we will host our first workshop with a guest college counselor who will give an overview of the college application process (more photos to come)!

We are excited to move forward and can’t wait to see what the future holds for both our PAVE students and our student mentors as we navigate the college application process together!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you hope and a future.”
—Jeremiah 29:11