FARMINGTON—Amir Al Mustafa, his wife and six children came from war-torn Syria in 2013 to seek a better life. When they stepped off the plane in Salt Lake City members of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) were waiting for the family to provide assistance in getting them housing, food and other necessities. Al Mustafa and his family are now living in Layton.

“When we first arrived from a long, exhausting trip we were tired,” said Al Mustafa. “When the kids saw the two women with the IRC they started crying.”

AI Mustafa said they took them to a house that was very warm and provided food for a month and beds for the children. “They helped us apply for food stamps, Social Security, ID, everything. They helped for a long time and paid part of the rent on a house.”

Since living in Davis County, AI Mustafa has received resources from the Davis School District (DSD) Refugee Supports team.

“There has been an increase of refugees coming into the district the last few years,” said Davis School District Refugee Family Advocate, Lindsey Zimmerman. “That is why they were recognized for the Refugee School Impact Grant in 2023.”

The Department of Workforce Services Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Federal Programs Department approved the grant and it started in the spring of 2023, said Jelina Hollberg, Refugee Family Advocate, DSD. “That is when our team began. The team is made up of four refugee family advocates and four student success coaches. The coaches help students with academics or behavioral issues and as a liaison with the teachers and families.”

The purpose of the team is to help refugee students and families to adjust to the American education system, said Hollberg. “Also to help them achieve self-sufficiency and integrate into the community.”

There are about 100 refugee students in the district, she said. “Some move and others no longer receive services.”

“We’re constantly receiving referrals so the numbers fluctuate,” said Zimmerman. “There are about 40-50 refugee families in Davis County. Aunts, uncles, many families live together.”

Finding affordable housing is difficult, she said. “The majority of their families are large. That’s what is the most challenging, they can’t live in a one bedroom apartment. They don’t have the ability to drive because they can’t afford a vehicle. Housing, transportation and language are big barriers.”

“We want them to feel empowered,” said Hollberg. “They want to work. A lot of them had great lives. They were successful and had a normal life. They miss that. They want that.”

The program offers an English class twice a week, she said. “They didn’t have access to English. This has been really awesome. It’s a huge success for us.”

There are interpretive services through the district, she said. “There is also a language line that we can call on demand for an interpreter. We call a person with a three way call and then just talk normally.”

“The kids have learned the language in school a lot more,” said Al Mustafa. “It’s been easy for them to pick up. I don’t understand the teachers so they help me.”

The district recently held a Refugee Community Awareness night to help the community and refugees get to know each other. “If the community makes a little bit of effort to see what assets they are, they can build a friendship.”

 “When kids learn about refugees and why they speak or dress differently, instead of making fun of them they’re getting to know them,” said Hollberg. “They can sit down at lunch and use Google translate.”