Growing up in a refugee camp where there’s little food, clothing and access to education, it’s little wonder those young people need some guidance when they start a new life in the U.S.

“Here, it’s a different world,” said Albert Mbanfu, executive director of the International Center of Kentucky, which is preparing to launch a mentorship program this spring for young refugees to help them navigate their own path to social and academic success.

“In the past, we’ve not had a lot of activities to keep them busy and to help them integrate into the community,” Mbanfu recently told the resettlement agency’s community partners last month during a meeting at the Bowling Green International Center.

The project, funded through the Kentucky Office for Refugees in Louisville, is slated to launch in May, Mbanfu said. Currently, the center is identifying potential mentors.

“People are expressing their desire to mentor,” Mbanfu said, adding these mentors could help them learn English and study skills, take them on museum visits and offer guidance on their college and career options after high school.

When they come to the U.S., Mbanfu said, refugee youths must learn a new language and culture. Once they’re thrown into the real world after high school, they sometimes feel overwhelmed and left behind.

“This can only be done if we have people who are close to them and guiding them on a day-to-day basis or on a weekly basis,” Mbanfu said.

Mentors will go through background checks and training, Mbanfu said, and they’ll also be supervised by the center’s staff who will do progress checks and offer advice. The center is encouraging mentors to commit at least two hours a week to work with their mentee.

Just like any other young person, Mbanfu said, refugee youth need guidance.

“What we plan to do is something that any other community would do,” he said.

– For more information, contact the Bowling Green International Center at 270-781-8336.