BRYTE is a student-led organization that pairs Brown undergraduate tutors with students ages 5-18 in refugee families. Currently, BRYTE works with over 170 refugee youth that are resettled from a diverse set of countries, including Iraq, Syria, Colombia, Nepal, Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Burma, Somalia, and others.
BROWN STUDENT TUTORS
Brown undergraduate, graduate, and medical school students serve as the tutors and mentors in the BRYTE program. Around 170 BRYTE volunteers work one-on-one with refugee students in their homes at least three hours per week. Volunteers spend time primarily tutoring (providing homework help and building on foundational literacy skills), but also engage in enrichment activities such as taking their students to visit the zoo, playing soccer at the park, or bringing them up to Brownʼs campus for community events. Each volunteer is paired with one of seven coordinators whom they email weekly with progress reports outlining the various academic and enrichment activities completed with their student. Additionally, coordinators meet individually with volunteers three times a semester to provide them with guidance and resources as well as receive their feedback on the program.
TRAINING
BRYTE volunteers undergo an intensive training program to equip them to be proficient tutors. At the beginning of the semester, new volunteers attend an all-day orientation training, while returning volunteers go to a refresher training to build on their existing skills. Throughout the rest of the semester, all volunteers attend two additional trainings, covering topics such as literacy instruction to the conflict contexts of the refugees’ countries of origin.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Every year, BRYTE volunteers bring their students to several activities and events organized by the coordinators to bring the community of some 170 tutoring pairs together. These community events have included our annual Fall celebration, Dance Workshops, Spring Talent Show, Science Day, Field Days, and more.
Brown undergraduate, graduate, and medical school students serve as the tutors and mentors in the BRYTE program. Around 170 BRYTE volunteers work one-on-one with refugee students in their homes at least three hours per week. Volunteers spend time primarily tutoring (providing homework help and building on foundational literacy skills), but also engage in enrichment activities such as taking their students to visit the zoo, playing soccer at the park, or bringing them up to Brownʼs campus for community events. Each volunteer is paired with one of seven coordinators whom they email weekly with progress reports outlining the various academic and enrichment activities completed with their student. Additionally, coordinators meet individually with volunteers three times a semester to provide them with guidance and resources as well as receive their feedback on the program.
TRAINING
BRYTE volunteers undergo an intensive training program to equip them to be proficient tutors. At the beginning of the semester, new volunteers attend an all-day orientation training, while returning volunteers go to a refresher training to build on their existing skills. Throughout the rest of the semester, all volunteers attend two additional trainings, covering topics such as literacy instruction to the conflict contexts of the refugees’ countries of origin.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Every year, BRYTE volunteers bring their students to several activities and events organized by the coordinators to bring the community of some 170 tutoring pairs together. These community events have included our annual Fall celebration, Dance Workshops, Spring Talent Show, Science Day, Field Days, and more.
