Hello Neighbor’s Mentorship and Study Buddy Programs joined together to host a talent show on January 21st — and it was such a wonderful time! Not only did participants showcase their skills and talents, but it also doubled as an opportunity to learn from one another and share each other’s music and cultures under one roof. We watched talents ranging from soccer tricks to cultural dances, and we had the chance to appreciate the wonderful art pieces made by our future Picasso’s. We all walked away from this event taking pieces of diverse cultures home with us.

This was truly an event that our friends and families will remember for a lifetime. If you are interested in our Mentorship and Study Buddy Programs please visit the links below to learn more about it.

Mentorship Program: Hello Neighbor was founded with Mentorship at our core because we believe that one-on-one relationships are key to creating a welcoming community and a better country. Mentors are strategically matched with recently resettled refugees and newly arrived immigrant families and individuals based on a variety of factors including geographic proximity, family composition, availability, and interest areas. Mentor and mentee matches decide what they want to do together, with activities ranging from playing at the local park, to attending Hello Neighbor events, to helping mentee families read mail and teaching them to write a check.

‍Study Buddy Program: Since 2020, Hello Neighbor has been supporting refugee and immigrant youth in school districts across Allegheny County to navigate the United States education system through personalized online one-on-one tutoring. Current students, recent graduates, and young professionals are matched with refugee and immigrant students in grades 6-12 to help them navigate remote learning, stay motivated to attend class and do their work, and empower them to build relationships with peers and school staff. Volunteer tutors help students with school work, provide subject-specific learning, set up tangible semester-specific goals, increase their confidence in the classroom, and develop their English language and interpersonal skills.