The Refugee Empowerment Program (“REP” for short) is a cornerstone of support for our refugee community in Memphis. In 2002, a recently arrived refugee began to see a need for educational support and more interconnectedness between the refugee population and local Memphis communities. She came to Memphis from Sudan with her 5 children and her sister’s 5 children (sadly her sister passed away before their journey to Memphis).

Because of her vision and her efforts, with 12 students and 2 volunteers, REP opened its doors; since then, it has grown to a network of more than 400 people plus hundreds of volunteers who are committed to serving and walking alongside many refugee families who call Memphis their home. Many refugee youth have had limited access to formal education, because they have spent large periods of time in refugee camps or fleeing persecution. After families are resettled in Memphis, REP and its dedicated staff and volunteers help to fill this education gap.

(For a more background information, you can watch this short video featuring the founder of REP on the Choose 901 Blog.)

REP offers an after school program Monday-Thursday and currently serves about 250 refugee students who range in age from pre-kindergarten to high school seniors. Some of their other programs include educational summer programs for youth, adult education classes (including three levels of ESL classes), character education classes for teenagers, college prep courses, pre-GED classes for adults, a women’s leadership program, and Bible studies for all ages.

We recently were able to talk with Cam Blackmon, the Executive Director of REP, about their work in Memphis. It was abundantly clear from our conversation that the staff and volunteers at REP are changing lives on a daily basis. She spoke about our tendency as Americans to “fix” problems, but how working in community gives you a unique opportunity to be part of a process that is beneficial for both you and the person who you are working alongside.

Mrs. Blackmon also talked about finding community and kinship in ordinary circumstances and how REP strives to “teach education through daily life.” She sees REP as a mission field, where she is able to work with people from various nations and show them that we all have “love” in common - and that love can transcend oceans and any of the barriers that might keep us apart.

We are so thankful to have the Refugee Empowerment Program serving refugee families in Memphis! If you would like to learn more about REP, get involved with any of their programs, or support their work with a donation, you can visit their website.