Fresh Start Refugee/NOVA RAFT

From first words to bright futures—right here in Alexandria

Fresh Start Refugee / NOVA RAFT supports refugee youth and families in Alexandria, Virginia, helping newly arrived students build pathways to literacy, graduation, college, and bright futures.

Alexandria has a long history of being a welcoming community for refugees and immigrants—and today, that tradition continues as Afghan families and others rebuild their lives in our neighborhoods and enroll their children in Alexandria City Public Schools.

Many of the students we serve are working to overcome interrupted education, language barriers, and the challenges of starting over in a new country—all while becoming part of the fabric of our local community.

What We Do

We support students at every stage of their journey:

• Foundational literacy instruction for newly arrived students
• Academic tutoring and graduation support for middle and high school students
• Leadership development for advanced students who return as peer tutors and mentors
• GED and English acceleration for young adults who arrived too late to enroll in high school
• Adult ESL programs that help parents strengthen employment opportunities and support their children’s education

These students are part of Alexandria’s classrooms, neighborhoods, and future workforce.

Impact Since April 2025

• 124 students participated in our Summer Academic & Enrichment Program
• 83 students enrolled in community-based literacy cohorts
• 57 students supported through in-school programming at Alexandria City High School and Hammond Middle School
• 130 adults enrolled in English language classes
• 90 students registered for Alexandria's Summer Youth Employment Program
• 7 students graduating in the Class of 2026

College and Career Pathways

Our college pipeline continues to grow. 

Students from NOVA RAFT have earned well over $1 million in scholarships, with graduates attending institutions such as:

• George Washington University
• University of Virginia
• William & Mary
• Smith College
• Northern Virginia Community College

At the same time, we support students pursuing career-focused pathways that lead more quickly to stable employment. These include:

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Dental assisting and dental hygiene
• Nursing and allied health programs
• Diagnostic medical sonography

Many of these programs are accessible through Northern Virginia Community College and can be covered through financial aid, allowing students to enter well-paying careers while continuing their education if they choose.

Why This Matters

When a student succeeds, their entire family moves forward.

For many refugee families in Alexandria, education is directly tied to economic stability. As students progress—from learning English to graduating high school and pursuing college or career training—they gain access to opportunities that help their families:

• Pay rent and avoid eviction
• Secure stable, higher-paying jobs
• Build long-term financial independence

Why Now

Over the past several years, this work has grown through the support of the Alexandria community.

Because of that support, our students are not only building foundational literacy—they are advancing into high school coursework, preparing for graduation, applying to college, and pursuing career training opportunities.

This progress is exactly what we hoped for—but it also means the work is becoming more complex.

Today, we are supporting students across multiple levels at once:

• newly arrived students learning basic literacy
• high school students working toward graduation requirements
• young adults pursuing GED and career pathways
• and student leaders preparing for college

Meeting these needs requires more individualized instruction, more coordination, and more sustained support.

With your help, we can continue to grow this work and ensure that every student in our program has the opportunity to succeed.