Mentorship Programs:
Our Academic Mentoring Program supports marginalized, refugees and newcomer youth ranging from grades 2 through 12. It includes under Hormuud Homework club, the Homework Circle, Academic Literacy, School Readiness, Day on Campus and Summer Literacy programs. The Academic Mentoring Program empowers students for academic success and access to post secondary education through problem solving, one on one mentoring and tutoring, and goal setting.
Hormuud Homework Club:
The Homework Club Program provides children and youth with mentoring and tutoring for academic success in preparation for a pathway to access post-secondary education.
This program is for participants who are struggling with their learning skills, work habits and language. For example, receiving satisfactory or needs improvement in learning skills or “C’s” or “D’s” in language on their report cards.
In Alberta, the school system is the first and most significant point of contact for newcomer youth. As an age appropriate education system where newcomer youth are placed in grades based on their age rather than academic ability, the classroom is an intimidating environment since many of them have had no access to school either in refugee camps, war torn countries or other impoverished communities of origin. As a result, many youth from newcomer, marginalized, immigrant and refugee communities are likely to drop out of school or struggle with not only academics, but social, emotional, and mental trauma.
The Homework Club program is designed to support newcomer youth and their families in building self – confidence and school readiness for positive engagement in the education system.
Our staff and volunteers work as mentors in supporting youth to develop resilience and problem-solving skills as they engage with the education system.
This enables us to engage students in an asset-based environment through the development of academic literacy and community engagement as an overarching strategy for academic success.
Program Schedule:
Late September/Early October – To be Announced
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Somali Canadian Cultural Society of Edmonton Centre, 6770 129 Ave NW #315, Edmonton, AB T5C 1V7
Age of participants: 9 – 17
Cost: Free
Registration is mandatory and there will be an intake process. Participants are to bring their report card and health card (for emergency purposes) for the intake process. On the days of the program, participants are to bring their homework.
Summer Literacy Program
The Summer Literacy Program provides children from grades kindergarten to grade 2 with the opportunity to develop reading strategies including: phonemic awareness, leveled reading, shared reading and targeted interactive writing exercises.
This program is for participants who are struggling with their learning skills, work habits and language. For example, receiving satisfactory or needs improvement in learning skills or “C’s” or “D’s” in language on their report cards.
Research proves that youth who cannot read are more likely to be involved the criminal justice system as a result of their inability to access opportunities.
The Summer Literacy Program is a key intervention to help youth fill in the literacy gaps and remove barriers to positive community engagement.
Many youth from newcomer, marginalized, immigrant and refugee communities struggle with developing literacy strategies since many parents are illiterate in their native language as well as English and do not have the means to help their children with basic literacy skills.
In the Summer Literacy Program, our mentors work with youth to identify literacy goals and bridging academic gaps over the summer.
Program Schedule:
Last week of July – August 31st.
Monday to Thursday from 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Please check the locations for our day camps.
Age of participants: 4 – 7
Cost: Free
Registration is mandatory and there will be an intake process. Participants are to bring their report card and health card (for emergency purposes) for the intake process. On the days of the program, participants are to wear comfortable shoes and bring sunblock for any outdoor activities.
