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2026 RSI Statewide Conference - Impact, Partnership, and Future: Celebrating ARSI/AYM Achievements and Launching RSI/YM Programs.

The UC San Diego Center for Community Health's Refugee and Immigrant Health (RIH) Unit, in partnership with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and statewide Regional Leads, convened more than 160 leaders from across California to celebrate the accomplishments of the Afghan Refugee School Impact (ARSI) and Afghan Youth Mentoring (AYM) programs while launching the next phase of statewide Refugee School Impact (RSI) and Youth Mentoring (YM) services.

The conference brought together a statewide network of regional leads, community-based organizations, school districts, youth leaders, and state partners working collectively to improve educational success and well-being for refugee children, youth, and families across California.

 

Key Program and Conference Highlights

  • 5,700+ projected families and youth served through ARSI/AYM educational support, mentoring, family engagement, and culturally responsive services

  • 61 community organizations and partners participated, including 10 school districts

  • 160+ attendees engaged at the convening

Youth Leadership and Partnerships in Practice

The conference opened with remarks from RIH program directors Reba Meigs and Amina Sheik Mohamed and CDSS representatives Kathy Yang, Abdi Abdillahi, and Carolina Sheinfeld. Sacramento Youth Center’s Youth Mentoring participant, Hasiba Zarifi’s opening reflections highlighting youth leadership and opportunities. This was followed by a moment of silence to honor those affected by the recent tragedy at San Diego’s Islamic Center and a grounding exercise to help attendees focus and reflect.

Participants then viewed Lasting Impact and Outcomes, a video highlighting ARSI and AYM accomplishments, and heard a keynote from Dr. Omar Reda of the Healing Trauma Institute on resilience and healing in refugee and immigrant communities. The School Success panel, moderated by Regional Lead Kajal Shahali of RIT, featured Youth Mentoring participant Ozair Khalil alongside service provider panelists Homa Habibullah of Bay Area Resource for Newcomers (BRFN), Yelitza Pena of Hayward Unified School District, and Keith Drury of Soccer Without Borders. Providers discussed educational success, belonging, mentorship, and school-community partnerships while our youth reflected on lived experiences and how the program impacted refugee families and youth. 

Following lunch, our breakout sessions addressed Conflict Resolution within Families, Social Determinants of Health Impacting Family Engagement, and Youth Engagement and Development. Attendees also explored regional impact posters and resource tables, showcasing diverse RSI and YM programming. Psychotherapist Dr. Cio Hernández’s afternoon keynote emphasized individual healing and collective resilience. Our conference concluded with closing remarks emphasizing long-term sustainable partnerships and impact from CDSS representative Migdalia Wade, CAIR-San Diego’s Tazheen Nizam, and Elk Grove Unified School District representative Lucy Bollinger.

Looking Ahead: Collective Vision and Sustainability

The 2026 RSI Statewide Conference marked the transition from ARSI and AYM to RSI and YM, reinforcing continued and increased cross-collaboration to support refugee children, youth, and families across California. Partnerships formed through this convening will guide ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination, respond to community needs, and build welcoming communities. We are grateful to all speakers, attendees, and partners for contributing to this shared momentum.

 

To learn more about our work at the Refugee Health Unit, click HERE or contact the Refugee and Immigrant Health Unit at refugeehealthunit@health.ucsd.edu.