Empowering Youth

Empowering Youth programs help youth from refugee and immigrant families develop the skills needed to prosper and realize their full potential.  Youth from refugee and immigrant families face different challenges than their parents.  They often acquire language skills more quickly, but also face the challenge of being immersed in American culture and have to find a balance between their traditional culture and that of their peers.  As a result of this programming, youth gain knowledge of the educational system and receive support to help them pursue their goals.

Current Empowering Youth Include:

Girls Reaching Above and Beyond (GRAB)

The GRAB program is designed to help girls aged 10-18 discover their identity and strengths and create a roadmap to pursue their dreams. Girls participate in various activities, including guided discussions, presentations by local professors and experts, and volunteer activities. Funding for this program is provided by the Women's Foundation of Minnesota.

Colorful Growers

The Colorful Growers project provides youth with a unique agricultural and entrepreneurial experience.   Through the project, youth will participate in educational sessions on agriculture.   They will then plant and tend a plot at the Stone Point Park community garden site and develop business and marketing skills by selling their crops at local venues.  This program is funded by the Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America.

College Education Connection

College Education Connection provides academic support, motivation and access to resources for immigrant youth as they pursue post-secondary education.  Project FINE also provides scholarships to students from immigrant and refugee families who are seniors in high school and preparing to pursue post-secondary education. These competitive scholarships are offered each spring. To learn more about the scholarship program and requirements, please contact our office at 507-452-4100 or info@projectfine.org.

College Education Connection scholarships are funded through the generous support of our local community and other fundraising efforts. To make a donation to College Education Connection, click below. All donations are tax-deductible.

F.O.R.C.E (Focus, Overcome, Respect, Connect, Excel)

The FORCE program provides education and activities for middle and high school boys from refugee and immigrant families. The goal of the program is to develop positive character traits and values, promote healthy lifestyle choices and prepare youth for future financial stability.  Activities are held monthly in Winona or St. Charles, and youth from all area schools are welcome to attend. Program activities include informational sessions on financial literacy, higher education, employment, and leadership skills; as well as fun activities such as sports, games, arts and community events.  

ConnectedMN

Through the generous support of ConnectedMN, Project FINE will provide support to refugee and immigrant families as they access distance learning.  Activities will include digital navigation services to help parents access online educational information and assist students as they connect to their classes and resources for homework and other academic support.

Financial Literacy

A financial literacy component is incorporated into all of our Empowering Youth programs.  Each program includes banking and business education, with a goal of educating and inspiring youth to plan for their future and begin on the pathway to a secure and prosperous financial life.  Funding for this financial literacy component is provided by a grant from Wells Fargo. 

There's No Place Like Home
 

This video was created by participants of Project FINE's youth programs in 2009.  It explores the importance of home through the eyes of youth, as they share how their homes are different, yet similar.  Through their stories, we find a common bond and realize that "there is no place like home."