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Afghan refugee tutoring program expands to Alexandria middle school

By James Cullum
Afghan families at a recognition ceremony for NOVA RAFT’s summer reading program, at William Ramsay Recreation Center, Aug. 12, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A program teaching Afghan youth living in Alexandria has expanded to a West End school and is seeking tutors for the 2025-26 school year.

Northern Virginia Resettling Afghan Families Together (NoVA RAFT) launched in 2021 after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The nonprofit has helped move refugees into new homes and taught English to hundreds of children and adults at William Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Avenue). NoVA RAFT now needs tutors after announcing a “dynamic partnership” with the Fresh Start Refugee Assistance Center, student leaders at Alexandria City High School, and George Mason University’s Afghan Refugee Mentorship Program to provide tutoring at Francis C. Hammond Middle School (4646 Seminary Road).

“The program includes English classes, subject-specific tutoring for high school students, career exploration, as well as exciting outings,” NoVA RAFT said.

Alexandria is among the top 10 cities in the U.S. for the most Afghan resettlements following the U.S. withdrawal, bringing in more than 1,100 refugees.

“Join us,” NoVA RAFT said on Facebook. “We’re expanding to provide after-school literacy instruction to Afghan refugee youth AT SCHOOL! We’re looking for volunteers who can come one or more afternoons per week. Training provided!”

After school tutors are needed to teach middle and high school students from Afghanistan and living in Alexandria (via NoVA RAFT/Facebook)

Flier image via Facebook

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.