Empowering Afghan Youth: Leadership & Well-Being
Summary
In 2025, Women for Afghan Women is committed to supporting Afghan refugee youth with a culturally responsive Youth Leadership Program (YLP) focused on cultural integration, mental health and well-being, and access to leadership development and mentorship opportunities to help them thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. YLP launched as a 12-week pilot summer session in June 2025 in Alexandria, Virginia and features weekly sessions covering leadership, mental wellness, gender equality, college and career readiness, and cultural adjustment. Guest speakers, field trips, and sports activities also enrich the experience. A core feature of the program is its mentorship model, connecting youth to professionals for guidance and support throughout the academic year. The summer pilot will impact approximately 25 Afghan youth, with plans to expand during the 2025–2026 school year to reach up to 50 students and their families. Measurable outcomes include increased leadership and communication skills, improved mental health well-being, stronger mentorship connections, and a sense of belonging.
Approach
WAW is committed to implementing a culturally responsive Youth Leadership Program (YLP) that empowers Afghan youth, aged 14 to 18, through leadership development, social integration, mental well-being, and mentorship. The YLP engages participants in interactive sessions focused on life and leadership skills, guest speaker events, recreational and cultural activities, college and career readiness, mental health support and education, and mentorship opportunities.
WAW’s Education Coordinator and Caseworker will oversee the program. They will develop the curriculum, recruit participants, build partnerships with schools and community organizations, organize activities, and identify guest speakers to lead sessions on gender equality, cultural adjustment, and sensitive topics such as domestic and gender-based violence. These discussions are approached with cultural sensitivity and emphasize women’s rights, personal boundaries, and gender roles, while connecting youth to resources to seek help without fear of stigma or retaliation.
WAW’s Mental Health Counselor will lead sessions on wellness and mental health awareness, equipping youth with tools to manage stress, cope with trauma, and practice mindfulness. A core focus of YLP is building a mentorship model that fosters identity, belonging, and confidence, introduces youth to new experiences, and provides mentor guidance to help them set and pursue goals. Youth will also engage in college preparation and career readiness activities, including field trips to colleges across the DMV states, offering valuable exposure to higher education.
With over 20 years of experience, WAW brings deep expertise in delivering culturally competent services to Afghan communities. The VACC provides trusted relationships, skilled staff, and the infrastructure needed to run and sustain the weekly program. Partnerships are key: Alexandria City High School, Hammond Middle School, and local community organizations will help identify students; the Mason Center will offer space for weekly meetings; and Ernst & Young is supporting the program as a funding partner and through volunteers.
Action Plan
WAW launched its Youth Leadership Program in Summer 2025 to empower recently arrived Afghan youth in Alexandria, Virginia through leadership development, mental health support, college and career readiness, and mentorship opportunities.
July – September 2025: Launch the YLP Summer semester focused on building rapport, student engagement, and community among participants, staff, and volunteers. Continue recruitment for current and future semesters and formalize a partnership with a local community organization to expand and sustain the program. September will focus on evaluating the Summer semester, incorporating student feedback, and developing the Fall 2025 curriculum.
October – December 2025: Launch the YLP Fall semester incorporating participant-suggested topics, college preparation, career readiness, and mental health support. Deepen the partnership with the local Afghan youth-serving organization and continue pursuing funding to launch a financial incentive program for participants with regular attendance and engagement.
January – May 2026: WAW will begin with a six-month evaluation to strengthen YLP for 2026, revising the Spring curriculum to incorporate student feedback and introduce new integration and leadership development activities. WAW will seek additional funder partnerships to sustain the program. The Spring semester will launch in March, with efforts focused on engaging students in the mentorship program, recruiting YLP ambassadors, and continuing the financial incentive initiative. Volunteer recruitment will also be prioritized to expand mentorship support.
June – August 2026: WAW will conduct a comprehensive year-end program review, analyzing participant outcomes and first-year results in collaboration with its partner organization. The findings and feedback will guide curriculum refinements and strategic planning for Year 2 expansion. Building on the successes of the first year, WAW will actively pursue additional funding to further invest in YLP and the Afghan youth it serves. Student recruitment and enrollment for the Summer semester will begin during this period, officially launching the second year of YLP with the Summer semester.
Background
In 2022, Women for Afghan Women (WAW) established its Virginia Community Center (VACC) to address the growing needs of both newly arrived and long-established Afghan immigrant communities in the DMV (Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia) states. As part of its commitment to supporting Afghan refugees and evacuees, WAW partnered with Alexandria public schools in April 2024 to provide culturally sensitive mental health services to recently resettled Afghan youth. This work revealed a critical gap in youth-focused services tailored to young Afghans who arrived in the United States during the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
As these youth adjust to life in Virginia, they face significant challenges both at home and in school, including cultural adjustment, navigating the American education system, bullying, and the trauma of displacement. These challenges have led to increased feelings of isolation, behavioral issues, substance abuse, and negative impacts on academic performance. In a short time, WAW observed the positive effects of its culturally sensitive, school-based mental health services at two schools in Alexandria. Students reported reduced anxiety and depression, increased motivation for academic achievement, and improved conflict resolution skills, outcomes confirmed by school officials.
In response, WAW is launching a Youth Leadership Program (YLP) aimed at Afghan youth aged 14 to 18. Through YLP, WAW is investing in the next generation by equipping young people with the skills and opportunities to envision a brighter future.
Progress Update
Partnership Opportunities
WAW seeks committed partners to expand its Youth Leadership Program from a pilot summer session into a sustainable, year-round initiative for the 2025–2026 academic year. WAW welcomes collaboration with organizations that can provide program funding to scale the initiative across the full academic year and beyond. To successfully implement the mentorship component, WAW is seeking dedicated volunteer mentors to work with refugee youth and provide tailored guidance and support to help them integrate and build confidence. WAW is also looking for partners with expertise in youth leadership development, mental health, and trauma recovery to co-create culturally responsive, trauma-informed programming. Additional support in areas such as college preparation, scholarship access, and career exploration is vital to help youth build long-term success. A key goal of the program is to support participants in applying to college and exploring career pathways through internships that provide real-world experience, professional networks, and leadership skill development.,With over two decades of experience serving Afghan, South Asian, and Muslim immigrant communities, WAW offers extensive expertise in refugee and immigrant services, women’s rights, community engagement, and advocacy. WAW is led by Afghan immigrant women with in-depth, first-hand knowledge of the immigrant experience and the complexities of Afghan and Muslim cultures, especially as they relate to women.
As the only Afghan-led direct service organization on the East Coast providing culturally specific services to Afghan survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, WAW has a strong track record of designing and implementing programs that center the needs of immigrant communities. WAW can be a valuable resource for organizations seeking training and expertise in better serving Afghan, South Asian, and Muslim immigrant communities. WAW also has a strong network of partners in the states of New York and Virginia, and welcomes opportunities to co-create programs, exchange best practices, and engage in partnerships with mission-aligned organizations.