Refugee Students in LSS Youth Program Graduate High School; includes UNF Acceptance & US Navy Enlistment
- Danae Leake

- May 31, 2024
- 2 min read
We are thrilled to celebrate the high school graduation of eight remarkable students from our LSS Youth and Mentoring Program. These young individuals, who participate in our youth services program, have shown incredible dedication and perseverance. Our program offers tutoring, mentoring, life skills, financial and health literacy, and educational workshops.

Congratulations to our graduates:
Terry Parker High:
Hajera Khalili
Sheela Sediqi
Inas Alnour
Sahar Sharistani
Dalianet Enamorado Plana
Atifa Mohammadi
Englewood High:
Abdul Rahmati
The Foundation Academy:
Emelyne Uzomukunda
Student Spotlights

Sahar Shahristani: Sahar, a dedicated student from Afghanistan, will be graduating from Terry Parker High. She has worked tirelessly throughout the year and was accepted to the University of North Florida. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and excited for her to start her first semester this summer.
You can read more about Sahar's academic journey here.

Abdul Rahmati: Abdul dreams of becoming a dentist. Through our mentoring and his own research, he decided to join the U.S. Navy to jumpstart his career. Abdul took the Navy qualification test, which has a passing score of 10, and he scored an impressive 15. He will be graduating from Englewood High.
These students have not only excelled academically but have also developed vital life skills through our program. Their success stories are a testament to the power of education, mentorship, and community support.
About Our Youth and Mentoring Program
At Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida (LSS), we support refugee youth through comprehensive programs. Our Youth and Mentoring Program served 59 youth, and last year, we assisted 2,542 refugees.
Services We Provide
Our Youth and Mentoring Program includes tutoring, mentoring, life skills training, financial and health literacy, and educational workshops. We also offer resettlement assistance with housing, employment, and cultural orientation, as well as health services, legal assistance for immigration processes, and community integration programs.
Challenges Faced by Refugee Students
Refugee students often face language barriers, cultural adjustments, trauma, mental health issues, academic gaps, and social isolation. Our program addresses these challenges with tutoring, mentoring, life skills workshops, financial and health literacy education, and support groups for mental health and trauma.
Program Expansion
In March, we expanded our services to include educational programs for middle schoolers, ensuring younger students also receive the support they need to thrive.



Sahar got into UNF and Abdul scored a 15 on the Navy test, attachment style test wow. I saw this on the train and it made me think about the barriers these kids must have faced. It's inspiring to see them succeed.
Sahar got into UNF, impressive! palm reading online And Abdul scored a 15 on the Navy test, wow. I saw this on the train, and it made me think about the barriers these kids must have faced. It's inspiring to see them succeed.
These graduation stories are truly inspiring and show how education, mentoring, and community support can help refugee students achieve remarkable goals. After reading uplifting news like this, I often play Slope Rider which is a fast-paced game where you guide a ball down a slope while avoiding obstacles to relax and recharge.
Es una historia muy inspiradora que demuestra el gran impacto de la educación, la orientación y el apoyo comunitario en la vida de los jóvenes. El esfuerzo y la dedicación de estos estudiantes son un ejemplo de perseverancia y esperanza para alcanzar nuevos sueños. Es importante seguir creando oportunidades para que más personas puedan crecer y avanzar. También es interesante cómo tradiciones como la lotería nacional unen a las comunidades y celebran momentos especiales.
The topic Visheshan is very useful for understanding Hindi grammar. Learning the different types of adjectives helps students improve sentence formation and use descriptive words more accurately in writing.