IISMO Youth Mentoring Program Partners with Mosaic Arts Collective to Expand Creative Opportunities
Through art-based programing, refugee youth gain outlet to build community and express their experiences being resettled in Missouri.
By: Aman Rahman
As newcomer families adjust to life in the United States, many young people feel an urgency to build their future through school and finding employment. Our partner, the International Institute of Southwest Missouri (IISMO), is creating a space where the youth they serve are empowered through creative expression as part of their journey.
Through the Youth Mentoring program for refugee youth, IISMO has partnered with Mosaic Arts Collective, a Springfield-based organization, to host a series of arts-centered activities over the course of four months. These workshops allow youth to process, explore their creativity and express themselves.
During the first event in February, the group participated in a mixed media workshop, using materials like paint, shapes and drawings to create artwork that reflected their experiences. Each piece showcased a different story and interest. One participant painted a cluster of butterflies, with text that read “What a Beautiful Life.” Another created a piece depicting their experiences in the U.S. For many members of the group, the workshop stood out as unique.
“The youth expressed that they like this new type of art, which they have not experienced before,” Yomna Awad, the Youth Mentor Program Coordinator, said.
For Yomna, who joined IISMO in November, providing this space for young people to channel their creativity has been meaningful, in part because it resonates with her own journey. When Yomna immigrated to the United States in 2019, her time was defined by balancing school, studying and finding jobs. She now reflects, wishing there had been more opportunities to engage in fun and creative activities.
Many refugee youth have described a sense of loss around the activities they had in their home country. One participant in the program shared that he is still adjusting to life in the US. This moment stood out to Yomna. Seeking guidance from Yomna, this participant shared that he misses home, including the activities and friendships he had. He expressed feeling the happiest when he is playing soccer or spending time with others.
“I see what these youth are going through, and I want to make it fun for them as they adjust to being here,” Yomna said.
With more events planned with Mosaic Arts, IISMO is continuing to build opportunities for youth to feel connected, supported and empowered through creative activities. The next workshop will focus on creative writing, where youth can experiment with different forms of storytelling in a way that is meaningful to them. IISMO and Mosaic will also host a dance session, introducing styles like hip hop and cultural traditions. In May, the group plans to have another event in which participants will create mixed-media paintings, combining images and written phrases to express themselves creatively.
Finishing off the academic year, IISMO and Mosaic will host a Youth Mentoring summer camp in June. Whether each participant is drawn to sports, writing, art or dance, they will have a space to explore their passions. Summer camp will end with a showcase, a moment where they can share what they have learned.
Beyond this partnership, this work reflects a broader effort to expand support and opportunities for refugee youth, through the Youth Mentoring program, with a focus on peer support.