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To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute an International Rescue Committee Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and the International Rescue Committee, Inc. for the purpose of funding a youth development program for newcomer high school students enrolled in the school division administered by the School Board of the City of Richmond.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, be and is hereby authorized to execute an International Rescue Committee Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and International Rescue Committee, Inc. for the purpose of funding a youth development program for newcomer high school students enrolled in the school division administered by the School Board of the City of Richmond. Such International Rescue Committee Grant Contract shall be approved as to form by the City Attorney and shall be substantially in the form of the document attached to this ordinance.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
O&R REQUEST
DATE: January 13, 2025 EDITION: 1
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Danny T.K. Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Sabrina Joy-Hogg, Interim Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Sheila White, Director of Finance
THROUGH: Meghan Brown, Director of Budget and Strategic Planning
THROUGH: Traci Deshazor, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services
FROM: Eva Colen, Office of Children and Families
RE: FY25 Grant from Children’s Fund to International Rescue Commission
PURPOSE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute a grant contract between the City of Richmond and the International Rescue Commission (“IRC”) for the purpose of operating a positive youth development program for newcomer high school students enrolled in Richmond Public Schools
BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (“IRC”) provides opportunities for refugees to thrive in the United States. IRC Richmond operates programs designed to help refugees settling in Richmond thrive by promoting school attendance and academic success through youth programs, providing job training, connecting families to medical care, and other activities that allow refugees to rebuild their lives and regain control of their future in their new home.
IRC Richmond programs include:
- Resettlement
- Employment Services
- Education and Integration
- Health Navigation
Through its work with refugee resettlement in Richmond, IRC has built relationships with RPS and other local school divisions. In School Year 2023-24, IRC piloted its “Youth Futures” program at J.R. Tucker High School. This grant contract will award IRC $25,000 to bring the program to refugee students enrolled in RPS. Programming includes:
- Weekly social-emotional and leadership programming focused on academic achievement, school engagement, and postsecondary success
- Weekly tutoring and homework help
- Tours of local colleges
- Job/resume workshops and career fairs
- Field trips including hiking, art experiences, city scavenger hunts, and river clean-up
IRC Richmond will continue its partnership with Richmond Public Schools to identify and recruit refugee students, with a particular focus on students who are not participating in other programming.
The proposed grant contract is aligned with the City’s priorities to make quality out-of-school time programs available to all Richmond children and to promote positive youth development as a protective factor against youth and community violence. It also addresses an unmet need for programming that is accessible to refugee youth who face cultural and language barriers to participating in other out-of-school time programs.
FISCAL IMPACT: This will reduce the “Reserve for Children’s Fund” line item in the Fiscal Year 2025 Non-Departmental budget in the amount of $25,000.00. This will authorize an expenditure from the “Reserve for Children’s Fund” line item in the Fiscal Year 2025 Non-Departmental budget in the amount of $25,000.00
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: April 28, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: May 12, 2025
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Education and Human Services Standing Committee
CONSIDERATION BY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES: N/A
AFFECTED AGENCIES: N/A
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: Ord. No. 2024-099
ATTACHMENTS: Grant contract
STAFF: Eva Colen, Office of Children and Families, x5454, Eva.Colen@rva.gov <mailto:Eva.Colen@rva.gov>