ACHILD ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER IS NO LESS WORTHY OF LOVE AND COMPASSION THAN MY OWN CHILD. – BARACK OBAMA
Collabs
Our beliefs:
- Education: We fight to ensure immigrant and multilingual youth have the same access to quality education as their peers—no language, income, or legal status barriers.
- Family and Community Engagement: We work to make schools more welcoming to immigrant families by breaking down language barriers, building trust, and ensuring parents can participate fully in their children’s education.
- Language is a Power, Not a Barrier: We champion English language learning while honoring home languages as cultural assets, not deficits.
Everyone is worthy of an education.
Plyler v. Doe (1982) – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states cannot deny free public education to children based on immigration status. This landmark decision affirmed that every child, regardless of where they were born, has the right to learn in our schools.
We carry that forward by breaking down barriers, uplifting voices, and making sure every young person—no matter their language or background—has the chance to thrive in school and beyond.
A Breakdown of:
The Conversation Starter
Mentors
High school students
Mentees
Elementary & middle school students
A program under the Big Brother Big Sister initiative to help ESL students build confidence, improve communication skills, and gain vocabulary through judgment-free, real-world conversation practice. The program offers consistent peer-led support in a small, safe group environment. The Big Brother Big Sister initiative is supported by a portion of Family Touch’s $60k grant.
Our objectives:
● Improve English-speaking fluency and vocabulary
● Build confidence in communication through practice
● Support social-emotional growth and cultural integration
● Foster mentorship relationships between high school and younger students
● Provide optional academic help at parent request
Additional Info:
The program operates virtually through 1:1 or small group sessions on Zoom. Group sizes range from 1 mentor to 2-3 kids. The Conversation Starter is an 8-week program, with an one hour session each week. Mentors must fill out an application and interview for consideration.
Curriculum:
Week 1 – Icebreaker & Introductions: Games to get to know one another, simple conversation starters
Week 2 – Everyday English: Talking about school, hobbies, and routines
Week 3 – Roleplay & Real Life: Practicing real-world scenarios like ordering food, asking for help, etc.
Week 4 – Cultural Exchange: Share traditions, holidays, and favorite things from your culture
Week 5 – Storytelling & Show and Tell: Practice sharing something personal (object, story, etc.)
Week 6 – Vocabulary Builder: Themed word games and mini discussions
Week 7 – Confidence Builder: Try leading a small part of the conversation, review progress
Week 8 – Celebration & Reflection: Final group chat, celebrate growth, and share favorite moments
NO LESS WORTHY. 