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 In the Spotlight: We would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who helped make
the May 19 PAIR Benefit Cocktail Hour a success. We couldn't have done
it without you!
As part of our Spring Capital Campaign, this fun event raised essential funds to keep our programs running.
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History & Mission
Mission: PAIR empowers refugee youth to reach their highest potential by connecting them with college students and community volunteers who provide supportive mentoring relationships, academic and cultural enrichment, and the resources and motivation to pursue higher education and other opportunities. At the same time, PAIR provides its college volunteers with experiences that increase their understanding of global issues as they affect individuals and that build their creativity, problem-solving skills, and ability to work with diverse cultures
History of the organization: PAIR began in September 2006, when several students at Rice University learned about the needs of a group of recently-arrived refugees. As the founders came to understand the system of refugee resettlement and to know the many refugees struggling to adjust to life in Houston, they expanded their efforts, organizing programs that involved additional Rice volunteers and that served greater numbers of those in need. In January of 2007 they formed an official student organization at Rice. PAIR quickly built a reputation within the refugee community, the Rice University community, and the community of organizations that serve refugees. In May of 2007 PAIR's founders took an important developmental step by incorporating and receiving 501(c)(3) status for the organization. During the next two years PAIR involved more than 160 volunteers and over 200 refugee youth in a variety of programs designed to ease their adjustment to American life and equip them with the motivation and resources to succeed in the education system and continue on to higher learning opportunities. PAIR's purpose is to equip refugee youth with the means to improve their own lives by assisting in their adjustment to American life, offering academic encouragement and assistance, and providing the information and resources they need to embark on a path to higher education, while fostering confidence, responsibility, and leadership. At the core of PAIR's efforts is the resolution to bridge the educational gap and foster economic mobility. For many of our refugee students, arrival in the U.S. has created the new and unexpected possibility of receiving secondary education and higher education. PAIR's work aims to assist refugee youth in taking full advantage of this opportunity and to allow these motivated students to pursue an educational path that will further improve their quality of life and develop their potential, ultimately leading to self-sufficiency, positive adjustment, and civic involvement.
Organization
The Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees brings college students and other caring volunteers together with refugee youth to encourage learning, foster academic success, and promote higher education. With the knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm of college students, as well as access to the rich and varied facilities and resources of the university campus, PAIR provides young refugees with guidance, encouragement, academic support, and a vision of the future that includes higher education and achievement of their full potential.
PAIR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Houston, Texas.
Please contact us at PAIR.Houston@gmail.com.6440 Hillcroft, Suite 210, Houston, TX 77081 | (713) 771 - 1111