The United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland recently awarded ASIA, Inc. $7,000 to pilot a summer  mentoring program for Somali refugee youth.  The project will serve 25 youth primarily from the Cleveland westside and Lakewood.

“We recognize our successful summer mentoring program can benefit many refugee communities.  We look forward to working with the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland and the leaders in the Somali community to address the acculturation and academic support needs of Somali youth,” said Michael Byun, Acting Executive Director.

The Somali summer youth program is part of ASIA’s Community Adult Mentoring (CAM) Program, which annually serves 75 newly arriving immigrant and refugee youth in Cuyahoga County.  The program is offered at two sites:  Midtown Cleveland and in Lakewood at St. Luke’s Catholic Church.  CAM offers year-round mentoring program that focuses on preventing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, building resilience and self-esteem, assisting with homework, and helping immigrant and refugee youth make successful transitions in America.