RYAN — Refugee/Immigrant Young-Adult Neighbor

Changing the World, One Life at a Time…

Creating a better future for refugees & immigrants

Through higher education and peer mentoring, RYAN brings young-adult newcomers and college students together in genuine friendship.

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We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
RYAN mentors and refugee young adults gathered together at a community event.

Genuine Friendship

We pair young-adult refugees and immigrants with nearby college students to spark real, lasting friendships.

Higher Education

We open the door to college by mentoring newcomers through admissions, financial aid, and campus life.

A Warm Welcome

We work so that every newcomer in our communities is welcomed with open arms from their very first generation here.

Moments from our community

A look back at RYAN gatherings, celebrations, and outings with the refugees, immigrants, and students who make this work possible.

RYAN participants and mentors sharing a meal together during a 2009 trip to Chicago.
Sharing a meal on a RYAN trip to Chicago (2009)
RYAN members celebrating with members of the local Bhutanese refugee community in 2009.
Celebrating with the Bhutanese community (2009)
RYAN mentors and refugee young adults together at a partner event in February 2011.
Together at a RYAN partner event (2011)
A scenic RYAN outing to Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan.
An outing to Tahquamenon Falls, Michigan

Recognized nationally

“Friends of Welcoming America” award winner

RYAN and its team were honored by Welcoming America for their work building bridges between newcomers and their neighbors.

Read RYAN in the news
Welcoming America post congratulating Team RYAN as a Friend of Welcoming, dated October 3, 2011.