Park Programs Serving Immigrant Youth

Summary

This project provides over 40 of Portland's immigrant children, often refugees from Sudan, Afghanistan and Somalia, with safe, supervised, healthful play facilitated by native-speaking teen mentors.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

This project will address issues of diversity, inclusion, obesity, and early pregnancy within an unserved community in Portland, Oregon by offering extended supervision, sports mentoring, games, crafts and lunch to children of the Muslim faith. "When you've got a high percentage of single working parents, it doesn't take rocket science to realize that you need summer programs for kids. We bring kids in and give them a high dose of self-esteem." - Charles Jordan, former Director, PP&R

How will this project solve this problem?

By providing immigrant youth with culturally relevant parks programs, the kids engage in inclusive activities such as swimming, basketball, crafts and other outdoor programs, when they may otherwise be inactive and unsupervised.

Potential Long Term Impact

This program supports 3,000 child visits per year, improving fitness, bridging cultural divides, addressing diverse needs and creating structured activities as an alternative for underserved children in communities with limited resources.

Project Message

"If it weren't for this program, I don’t know where my kids would be. I can't afford childcare. "
- SW Portland Muslim Parent, Portland citizen

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources