Community Connectors
Our mentorship program, Community Connectors, provides New Americans support and engagement on a personal level, helping them advance socially, emotionally, and academically as they transition to life in Columbus. Both mentors and mentees benefit from this relationship, creating strong, long lasting bonds through the exchange of personal and cultural experiences. On a broader scale, this program helps create a safer, more welcoming place for New Americans to call home.
“The biggest surprise to having a mentor is having help me with things that I DON'T know about America.”
— Binyam (see Binyam’s story)
One Community.
One City.
One Person.
It only takes one hour of your time. One moment of understanding. And one small act of compassion to create better opportunities for New Americans and a stronger Columbus for all of us.
Steps to Become a Mentor
1 Create Your Profile
Fill out a volunteer profile through our Community Connectors Form.
2 Schedule Your Interview
Complete initial phone or in-person interviews with the CRIS team.
3 Begin Your Training
Attend an in-person training session and sign any necessary paperwork.
4 Meet your Mentee
Get matched with a mentee (based on linguistics or mentor preference).
Community Partnership
We help bring our mission and vision to life through partnerships with businesses and universities in the Columbus area. Through these partnerships, we help provide New Americans with the academic support, employment support, and social engagement they need. The partners we seek have a deep pride in our community, and the people it serves. However your organization can help, we’d love to hear from you.
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Academic Support
Our first goal is to help every New American graduate from high school. From there, we expose them to the possibility of secondary education, as well as give them all the information they need to get there.
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Employment Support
We help mentees prepare for each step in their career, from teaching them soft skills like maintaining eye contact, to teaching them how to have a good interview. We also provide opportunities for career shadowing and exploration, as well internships.
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Social Support
Through events like Crew games, community outreach initiatives like painting murals, and activities like hanging out in the Short North, we give mentees the opportunity to explore the city they live in, and all the things they can do here.
Donate to Community Connectors
Every dollar we receive helps us provide better services and programming to the youth that we serve.
Venmo: @CRISCommUNITYConnectors
Other Ways to Get Involved
There are many other opportunities to get involved with Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS): Refer a mentee, make tangible donations like book bags or bus passes, plan an experience, or organize a fundraiser.