By Ravenna Hennane, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Global Mentorship Initiative
When Oscar Bahati launched an organization to provide support to refugees as they integrated into the United States, he knew firsthand how broad the requests would be. When he first arrived from Rwanda in 2019, he had a job, but he needed so much more. “Everything was new to me. There were so many choices, and some things seemed so hard to access. I don’t know how I would have gotten through those first few years without mentors.”
Global Mentorship Initiative launched in 2019 to connect graduating college students from underserved communities with careers through structured training and one-to-one virtual mentorship. GMI quickly gained popularity amongst refugee-serving youth partners due to its remote, flexible format and structured, practical curriculum. In five years, the program has grown to support over 8,000 learners in 102 countries, including in eight refugee camps.
GMI works with dozens of local schools and youth organizations globally who identify young people who could benefit from GMI’s Career Readiness Mentorship program. Oscar’s organization Rapid Integration Support and Empowerment (RISE), is one of those partners. Another one is the university which offered him an opportunity to earn an accredited degree while studying in Kiziba Refugee camp, Southern New Hampshire University.
In 2023, GMI joined UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s global network of pledge makers committed to action to improve refugee lives and outcomes. GMI made three pledges, including to provide mentorship to 1,000 displaced learners and help our network of corporate partners hire at least 250 refugees. GMI connected with UNHCR’s Education and Fundraising teams to discuss opportunities to engage more students and mentors from UNHCR’s global network. When USA for UNHCR – UNHCR’s national partner in the United States – was contacted about collaborating for a pilot, the organization was immediately interested.
“Fostering opportunity for refugees is central to our work at USA for UNHCR, and many of our supporters are ready and willing to become mentors and share their experience with those who are just starting their career path,” shared Jennifer Simon, Senior Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement at USA for UNHCR. “We are excited to launch this pilot and looking forward to building on this collaboration in 2025.” Through the pilot, GMI will connect 50 displaced learners with UNHCR supporters for a 12-week virtual mentorship. The program focuses on increasing the student’s career readiness, soft skills and confidence. 74% of GMI graduates are employed within six months of graduating.
“GMI is about connection,” said GMI Founder and CEO, Jon Browning. “We provide the content and the platform to bring people together, but it is the human contact that really changes lives for these young people and their mentors. Through this partnership with UNHCR, we can connect thousands of displaced learners with champions who are enthusiastic about improving the lives of refugees.”
Join us in making a difference. To learn more or register as a mentor to support underserved and refugee youth, please visit https://globalmentorship.org/be-a-mentor/ or contact info@globalmentorship.org.