An S.O.S. For Refugee Students and Their Families
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Since 2014, RefugeeConnect has held a federal grant to support refugee youth and their families through vital school-based services such as the Refugee School Impact and College & Career Readiness programs. With sweeping federal cuts to refugee support programs, this funding is at risk—and so are the futures of the youth we serve. Without renewed investment, we may be forced to discontinue the very programs that help refugee students feel supported and set up for future success.
RefugeeConnect supports students in 14 different school districts across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Our College & Career Readiness Navigator supports the post-secondary learning journeys of students in Cincinnati Public and Boone County Schools and the Refugee School Impact program builds home-to-school connections for refugee families across Southwest Ohio. |
Without community support, we will not be able to continue offering these programs.
Here's how you can help:
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Make A Donation
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Here's what we accomplished in 2024 thanks to generous donors like you...
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RefugeeConnect is dedicated to connecting refugees (people forced to flee their country to escape persecution, war, or natural disaster) with resources to rebuild their lives as United States citizens. Over the past several months, federal policy changes have imposed immense challenges on the nonprofit sector, especially those serving refugees and immigrants. In 2024, with the help of community partners and the dedication of our Navigators and Community Health Workers, RefugeeConnect served 323 families across 6 counties and 49 zip codes.
Your support and contributions make a tangible difference in the educational journeys and overall well-being of our refugee neighbors. Donate today and stand in solidarity with refugee families, the communities they live in, and the nonprofits supporting them.
Your support and contributions make a tangible difference in the educational journeys and overall well-being of our refugee neighbors. Donate today and stand in solidarity with refugee families, the communities they live in, and the nonprofits supporting them.
Luma Alzubaidi, a refugee from Iraq, faced a complex journey to the United States due to her husband's military service. Despite missing initial interview dates, they finally secured their refugee appointment in 2014 and were resettled in Cincinnati. Transitioning was challenging, with cultural adjustments and initial difficulties in learning to navigate U.S. systems. However, Luma brought her Iraqi traditions to the U.S., embracing her Muslim culture and creating friendships within her community to lessen the isolation her family felt being separated from their family back home.
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“When I arrived in the U.S., the support I received from RefugeeConnect made a big difference. It wasn’t about financial help, but rather the guidance and encouragement they offered. I always felt like I wasn’t alone. I knew there was someone I could turn to, someone who would give me the right information and help me make the best decisions. That kind of support made me feel comfortable, confident, and able to continue building a better life for my family.”
As a Community Navigator for RefugeeConnect, Luma now aids Arabic-speaking families and Afghan evacuees as they resettle in the Greater Cincinnati region. Her experiences allow her to connect deeply with the families she supports.
“Something people in the U.S. might not understand is how lost you can feel when you’re new here. Some people may expect you to know everything right away, but the truth is, you often don’t even understand the system or how things work. You’re trying to figure it all out while being responsible for your children and wanting the best for them. At the same time, you’re also trying to grow and improve yourself. You carry a lot on your shoulders—managing everything at once, often without help.”
One of Luma's biggest accomplishments as a Community Navigator was advocating for an Iraqi family of seven to be considered for housing through a church partnership in Northern Kentucky. Thanks to her efforts, the family received a full year of housing support along with volunteer assistance to help them achieve their goals.
“One of the hardest parts is being far from your family. No one visits you, and you don’t have a support network—it’s just you, your husband, and your kids. That can feel very isolating. But when you meet people who truly understand and guide you, even just with advice or kindness, it makes you feel like you’re not alone. It gives you the strength to keep going, like you’ve found a small piece of family in a new place.”
She encourages refugees to pursue their dreams while adapting to their new lives and describes RefugeeConnect as a supportive nonprofit that emphasizes trust-building and problem-solving.
“What helped make things easier in the beginning was having people who listened, supported, and guided me—especially when I didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t financial help that mattered most, but the advice, encouragement, and kindness I received. Knowing I could ask someone a question and get the right answer gave me confidence and comfort. Also, seeing that others believed in me helped me believe in myself. That support reminded me that I wasn’t alone, and it gave me the strength to keep going—for myself and for my family.”
She cherishes events like World Refugee Day and believes in fostering understanding and empathy for refugees, who often start with nothing and work tirelessly to rebuild their lives.
“My experience has made me more understanding and patient with new families because I’ve been in their place. I know what it feels like to be lost, to not understand the language or the system, and to feel completely alone. That’s why, as a navigator, I try to offer the kind of support I needed when I first arrived—someone who listens, explains things clearly, and doesn’t judge. I know that even small acts of kindness or a little guidance can make a big difference.”
After gaining citizenship in 2019 and earning an associate degree in Accounting in 2020, she has worked in various roles, including at Cincinnati State and RefugeeConnect. She plans to pursue a bachelor's in accounting.
“…One thing I want to add is that over time, I’ve grown stronger and more confident—not just for myself, but so I can support others. In the beginning, I needed help with everything. Now, I’m the one giving that help to new families. I’ve learned how to navigate the system, how to ask the right questions, and how to be a voice for people who are still learning. It’s not an easy journey, but it’s possible. I’m proud that what was once a struggle has now become a way for me to give back and help others feel seen, heard, and supported.”
Luma wants others to see her as a compassionate listener and helper. Her five children, all born in Iraq, pursue diverse career paths. She is also known for her culinary skills, cooking traditional Iraqi dishes for her family—a lasting connection to her heritage and a symbol of the love and resilience she carries into everything she does.
Luma’s journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when refugee families have consistent, culturally responsive support. As a former newcomer and now a trusted guide for others, Luma represents the heart of RefugeeConnect’s Refugee School Impact and College & Career Readiness programs. But this work is at risk. The RefugeeREConnect Campaign is an urgent call to sustain the programs that empower families like Luma’s to rebuild, belong, and thrive.
Donate Today
and ensure that the next family has someone like Luma to walk alongside them. Your support helps us keep the doors open—and the connections strong.
Donate Today
and ensure that the next family has someone like Luma to walk alongside them. Your support helps us keep the doors open—and the connections strong.
