The other day, I had a moment of reflection and surprise as I was playing soccer with our middle and high school refugee boys after school. It was a gorgeous day and as I was running around laughing and playing with these sweet kids, I just had a moment of “How is this my life??” How did a freshly graduated girl from the South end up here? Although I may never know how I ended up moving to Montana and working with the greatest community in Missoula, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

These past few months have been extremely busy in terms of enrolling kids in school, and making sure all of our children are in summer camp or have something to do this summer, all while the organization that I serve with goes through a large staffing transition. Before March, I had someone to help me with education tasks but now am a one-man team. It has been difficult to keep up with my AmeriCorps mentoring while also helping enroll new families in school, teach them to use the bus, deal with behavioral issues, and field texts from concerned parents. Although this has been a difficult period during service, I have truly experienced the support and encouragement from not only the families I work with but with other partners in the community who also provide services to refugees. 

Even though these times of service have been tough and the stress can sometimes be overwhelming, the interactions that I have with youth and their families make it worth it. One of my favorite experiences happened to be at a student’s sweet sixteen party. When I got the text from her to come to the party, I accepted thinking that it would just be me and her family. I had no idea that I would walk into an apartment full of 50 people, family and friends alike. Everybody was extremely welcoming, fed me until I couldn’t eat anymore, taught me to dance with them, and overall helped me to have a fantastic time. I left the party overwhelmed by the happiness and love that this Afghani community had shown me. 

These past few months have shown me the impact that true direct service can have not just on the population that is served, but on those who serve them. Watching these high school and college students ace an exam, get a summer job, make the team, etc. might be more exciting for me than it is for them. Working alongside their teachers, mentors, and other members of my organization has shown me how working together to support refugee youth strengthens the bonds of this community and fosters a sense of collaboration. Refugee youth are more than their struggles; they are resilient, resourceful, and full of potential. By addressing their unique challenges with compassion and strategic support, we can help them overcome barriers and build brighter futures. I feel that while I am the one that mentors these youth, they have taught me resilience, humility, and compassion and I am forever grateful to have had this opportunity to be a part of their lives. While my service year comes to a close, I hope to remain involved with this community however I can while I pursue my master’s degree in public health from the University of Montana in Missoula. I am forever grateful to AmeriCorps for helping me find my new home!