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Writer's pictureDanae Leake

Refugee Students in LSS Youth Program Graduate High School; includes UNF Acceptance & US Navy Enlistment

We are thrilled to celebrate the high school graduation of eight remarkable students from our LSS Youth and Mentoring Program. These young individuals, who participate in our youth services program, have shown incredible dedication and perseverance. Our program offers tutoring, mentoring, life skills, financial and health literacy, and educational workshops.


Congratulations to our graduates:


Terry Parker High:

Hajera Khalili

Sheela Sediqi

Inas Alnour

Sahar Sharistani

Dalianet Enamorado Plana

Atifa Mohammadi


Englewood High:

Abdul Rahmati


The Foundation Academy:

Emelyne Uzomukunda


Student Spotlights

Sahar Shahristani: Sahar, a dedicated student from Afghanistan, will be graduating from Terry Parker High. She has worked tirelessly throughout the year and was accepted to the University of North Florida. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and excited for her to start her first semester this summer.


You can read more about Sahar's academic journey here.



Abdul Rahmati: Abdul dreams of becoming a dentist. Through our mentoring and his own research, he decided to join the U.S. Navy to jumpstart his career. Abdul took the Navy qualification test, which has a passing score of 10, and he scored an impressive 15. He will be graduating from Englewood High.


These students have not only excelled academically but have also developed vital life skills through our program. Their success stories are a testament to the power of education, mentorship, and community support.


About Our Youth and Mentoring Program

At Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida (LSS), we support refugee youth through comprehensive programs. Our Youth and Mentoring Program served 59 youth, and last year, we assisted 2,542 refugees.


Services We Provide

Our Youth and Mentoring Program includes tutoring, mentoring, life skills training, financial and health literacy, and educational workshops. We also offer resettlement assistance with housing, employment, and cultural orientation, as well as health services, legal assistance for immigration processes, and community integration programs.


Challenges Faced by Refugee Students

Refugee students often face language barriers, cultural adjustments, trauma, mental health issues, academic gaps, and social isolation. Our program addresses these challenges with tutoring, mentoring, life skills workshops, financial and health literacy education, and support groups for mental health and trauma.


Program Expansion

In March, we expanded our services to include educational programs for middle schoolers, ensuring younger students also receive the support they need to thrive.

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