Interfaith Refugee School Impact Program

Strong roots, beautiful branches!

​We had the absolute best time during our "Family Tree" painting project! Families came together, rolled up their sleeves, and created some truly beautiful, meaningful art.

​Every family is unique, and it was incredible to see that reflected on the canvas. Some trees had vibrant finger-print leaves, others featured handprint canopies, and some were filled with names celebrating generations of love.

​The best part? Seeing parents and kids collaborating, laughing, and getting a little messy together.

These aren’t just paintings—they are visual reminders of the love and history that connect us.

​Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this project so special. Check out some of the masterpieces below! 👇

Big thanks to Courtney Stilley Morgan and her assistants for providing the materials and time to complete this project.

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There is truly nothing more rewarding than watching hard work, dedication, and passion come together. Today, we are bursting with pride and just have to celebrate the incredible Paulette!

Paulette has absolutely crushed it lately, proving that excellence isn't just a goal—it's her standard. Check out what she’s accomplished:

Straight A’s in a rigorous lineup of Honors classes 📚

Selected for the prestigious All-County Choir 🎶

Recognized with several academic awards for her outstanding performance 🏆

Balancing top-tier academics while shining in the arts is no small feat, but Paulette makes it look easy. Her work ethic, talent, and heart inspire me every single day.

Please join us in congratulating Paulette!

Huge Congratulations to Roberto!

Each year, the English-Speaking Union Colonial NC Branch honors an English learner who has shown outstanding academic progress. This year, we are thrilled to celebrate Roberto, a brilliant student in the Refugee School Impact Program!

When Roberto first walked through the doors of HJ MacDonald Middle School as a sixth grader, his drive to succeed was instantly clear. Even though he primarily spoke Spanish at the time, he dove into learning English with a completely fearless, positive attitude.

The results speak for themselves. In just 20 months, Roberto has:

📈 Recorded the largest academic growth of any multilingual student at his school.

🎓 Nearly met the official exit criteria for English proficiency.

🧮 Achieved proficiency on his NC Math and Reading End of Grade (EOG) tests.

📚 Become part of a select group of students to demonstrate proficiency in both Math and Reading within such a short timeframe of arriving in the U.S.

🔬 A Future STEM Leader
Beyond his incredible language gains, Roberto is a natural at math and a creative problem-solver. He loves science and can often be found conducting his own independent research on plants and the environment. With his sharp technical skills and endless curiosity, he is well on his way to an amazing career in STEM.

❤️ Character that Inspires
What truly sets Roberto apart is his heart. Peers and teachers know him as a kind, helpful, and deeply respectful young man. He possesses rare grit and resilience, never giving up when a task gets tough, and shows immense maturity and integrity every single day.

With his unique global perspective as a bilingual individual, we know Roberto will change the world—whether he’s tackling climate change, renewable energy, or global health.

Roberto, your journey is just beginning, and we are so incredibly proud of you! Please join us in congratulating Roberto in the comments below! 👇

Some of our favorite moments don’t happen in an office. They happen around food, music, and shared stories.

Picture a room in New Bern filled with families from around the world:
– Kids laughing over a game
– Parents connecting with volunteers
– Plates filled with dishes that taste like home
– A song, a dance, or a new word being shared

These gatherings help turn “this new place” into “our community,” creating space for friendship, cultural pride, and joy.

We host events that bring refugees, volunteers, and neighbors together so everyone feels seen and included. Visit helpingrefugees.org/staff to learn more or connect with our team.

Summer's here and school's out, we've got a ton of awesome activities coming up to keep everyone busy!

Many of our students earned awards this week. We're proud of their growth and accomplishments!

Game Nights are always so much fun! 🍕 😁

Naela attended the Trent Park Elementary end of year dance! She brought her best moves to the dance floor and made wonderful memories. It was the perfect way to kick off the final stretch of the school year!

Middle School Game Night was a success! From friendly competition to lots of laughs, our students had an amazing time connecting, playing games, and making memories together. We’re already looking forward to the next one!