The need in Albany is clear: Refugee families need long-term mentoring and education as they build new lives after experiences of trauma, dislocation, and relocation. About 400 refugees arrive annually in New York’s capital area. Over the past 10 years, New York State’s refugee population has grown by almost 400,000 and the majority of these individuals have settled in upstate New York . Of the ten counties that have experienced a more than 10% increase in their foreign born populations, Albany County is in the lead with a jump of over 48% in its foreign born individuals, compared to only a 6% growth rate in native born individuals over the same time period. Additionally, during the same period the number of Albany county individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) has increased by 82%- more than double the rate in the following 5 counties. The 600 or so individuals that RISSE serves every year meet the following criteria: • 70% unemployed • 20% underemployed • Minimum 80% recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). Over 95% are English Language Learners. Jobs available to adults with limited English skills are few, do not pay well, and are often temporary, presenting a significant barrier to adults seeking to become self sufficient. The majority of RISSE’s constituency are new arrivals (being resident in Albany from 90 days to ~3 years), with little or no English skills. Many have not had the opportunity to attend formal schooling in their country of origin, as well. As a result, the logistical, cultural and technical demands of the classroom experience is entirely new to these learners, making it profoundly difficult for other adult education programs to register them into class, let alone attend to their unique and varied needs. The majority of youth served by RISSE (ages 5-15) are English Language Learners. Many were not privileged to attend school in their country of origin, attended infrequently, or had long breaks in their schooling. As a result, the classroom experience can be entirely new, and very challenging. For those that have not had a chance to “catch up” with their peers, the chances of attaining high school graduation falls dramatically. In Albany county, English as a Second Language (ESL) students are still well below the average student graduation rate (71%), at 31%. However, those that were enrolled in a specialized ESL or bilingual program graduated (sampled from a 2009 class) at nearly the same rate as their non ESL counterparts. Jobs available to students that do not graduate from high school are declining and very few pay wages sufficient to support a family beyond the lowest established poverty levels. These students have a greater risk of job instability, low lifetime earnings, poor health, unemployment, and prison. To compound the problem, many refugee and immigrant students’ parents and other family members have limited or no English skills, are unfamiliar with the American school system and culture, and are unable to adequately support their children’s education.