The RIYO Model

RIYO’s peer-to-peer model empowers newcomer youth (ages 4-24) in Waterloo, Iowa, through leadership development, service learning, and culturally-specific programming, fostering belonging and holistic well-being to enhance academic success, career readiness, and community impact.

Peer to Peer

Young individuals find a supportive space of belonging and understanding, supporting navigating dual cultural identities.

Refugee & Immigrant-Led

 Led by those who've conquered similar challenges, creating solutions based on a place of lived experience.

Equitable Access

Meeting students where they are and breaking language, culture, and community barriers to accessibility.

Fun

Blending education with enjoyable activities for stress relief, connection, learning.

Service
Learning

Community service as a tool to support community while developing leaders.

Youth Leadership

Youth lead and influence program improvements, continuous feedback loop that ensures meaningful and effective programming.

RIYO Programs

foster academic, social and emotional well-being and future readiness.

Youth Navigator Fellowship

Leadership fellowship for 10 High School students. They attend leadership workshops honing essential leadership skills, and then they play a key role planning and leading service learning projects, supporting more than 100 peers. 

10 High School Students | Leadership

Your impact matters! Help us create a brighter future for refugee youth in Waterloo.

Shine After School Program

Engaging 8-12 students in English Language Learning (ELL), career awareness, fostering peer connections, fun learning activities, and honing essential skills.

150 Middle & High School Students | ELL

Summer Kids Club

Literacy and SEL programs for k-5, bridging summer learning gap.

60 K-5 Students | Literacy

High School 1:1 Coaching

Programs on increasing understanding of education system.

20 High School Seniors | Future Readiness

Make a Donation


Youth Navigator Fellowship

Meet our current youth leaders!

Tamla

Joanna

Abigail Listo

Sanay

Brandon

Rita

Grace

Lovettee

Eureca

Dece

2023 Youth Navigator Alumni

Maw

Grace

Mary

Lucia

Lovetee

Phillip

Shae

Marissa

Eureca

Cesar

You can make a difference today!

Your impact matters! Help us create a brighter future for refugee youth in Waterloo.

Applications opening soon!

Make a Donation

Your impact matters! Help us create a brighter future for refugee youth in Waterloo.

Applications opening soon!

Impact

Stories

Lovettee, a freshman from Liberia at West High School, actively participated in the RIYO After School Program and Youth Navigator leadership initiative. In the After School Program, she stood out for her enthusiasm and humor, becoming a voice for her peers. Despite her excellence, Lovettee recognized her need for improvement in leadership and public speaking skills. Now a Youth Navigator, she has expanded her connections beyond her initial circle, demonstrating leadership and embracing diverse opportunities. Lovettee's journey reflects her commitment to personal growth and openness to diverse experiences.

1/3

Oo Reh, a senior from the Karenni community at West High School, initially lacked support but joined seeking guidance. Gradually opening up during coaching, he discussed strengths, weaknesses, and goals. With personalized support, he discovered a passion for soccer and now aspires to be the first in his family to attend college. Reflecting on his journey, his mentor notes, “Compared to when we started, now he seems so excited about life!” This quote encapsulates Oo Reh's remarkable transformation and newfound commitment to his aspirations.

2/3

Paleh, an 8th grader from Hoover Middle School, born in a Thailand refugee camp, initially shy around new people, blossomed into an engaged conversationalist once comfortable. Uncertain about attending the Hawkeye College tour, Paleh found it surprisingly enlightening, discovering numerous majors and options. Though undecided on her major and college choice, the tour provided valuable insights, and Paleh appreciates the time she has to decide. During the UNI tour, she discovered a newfound interest in speech pathology through an art opportunity, expressing enthusiasm for exploring more colleges to broaden her ideas.

3/3

Our Partners

RIYO partners with schools, universities, and community organizations to empower refugee and immigrant youth. Collaborations with the University of Northern Iowa’s Arts, Literacy, and TESOL departments, along with student organizations, provide youth with innovative teaching practices, literacy support, and leadership opportunities. Through our focus on experiential learning for teachers, RIYO equips educators and student-teachers with real-world experience while building a hub of youth leadership and educational excellence.

Impactful Change

Community Collaboration

Grassroots Leadership

Cultural Understanding

Sustainable Change

Impactful Change

Community Collaboration

Grassroots Leadership

Cultural Understanding

Sustainable Change

Impactful Change

Community Collaboration

Grassroots Leadership

Cultural Understanding

Sustainable Change

Impactful Change

Community Collaboration

Grassroots Leadership

Cultural Understanding

Sustainable Change

Impactful Change

Community Collaboration

Grassroots Leadership

Cultural Understanding

Sustainable Change

Copyright 2024 - Refugee and Immigrant Youth Organization