In Spokane, Washington, Roots International equips refugee and immigrant youth with the mentorship, skills, and community they need to thrive and grow. When young people have a place to belong, everything changes.
Strong roots change everything.
22%
All U.S. youth between the ages of 14 and 24 are either immigrants themselves or live in immigrant families.
1 in 5 of America's youth are building their futures between two worlds. They deserve strong roots in our community.
This Summer, Be Part of Something That Grows.
Help us reach our $10,000 Growing Season goal by September 1st.
Of the world's 117.8 million forcibly displaced people, 45 million, 38%, are children under 18.
-UNHCR Refugee Data Finder, 2025
Behind every number is a young person looking for a place to belong. Roots International exists to be that place, right here in Spokane.
From South Sudan to Spokane.
Read how one refugee's journey became a mission to ensure no young person walks that road alone.
Six Pathways. One Purpose.
Sports
The Doorway to Connection
Sports break down walls faster than words. On the field, a young person navigating a new language finds a place where they immediately belong; no translation needed. Includes: Sporting events, summer camps, and day camps
Mentorship
Changing Directions
A mentor can change a young person's entire trajectory. We ensure no youth walks their journey alone by connecting them with people who see their potential and believe in it. Includes: One-on-one matches, group circles, peer support networks.
Education
Building Bridges
Many refugee youth arrive behind academically through no fault of their own. We provide the scaffolding they need to catch up, move forward, and never be left behind again. Includes: Tutoring, college readiness, vocational training
Arts
Reclaiming the Narrative
Creativity allows young people to express pain, joy, and culture in ways words alone cannot. Through the arts, our youth reclaim their voices and share their stories on their own terms. Includes: Storytelling, photography, dance, music
Leadership
Recognizing Potential
These youth are already leaders; they translate for their families and adapt to new worlds every day. We help them recognize that strength and step boldly into it. Includes: Leadership workshops, public speaking, community projects
Mental Health
A Safe Place to Be Whole
Trauma and displacement leave invisible wounds. We provide a safe haven where youth can rest, heal, and rebuild, surrounded by care that meets them exactly where they are. Includes: Counseling, support groups, family trauma-informed care
Every pathway is a lifeline.
When you support Roots International, you're not just funding programs; you're investing in a future where every young person has roots deep enough to weather any storm.
The young people Roots International serves are already resilient, as they've navigated displacement, new languages, and new worlds. What they need now is a community that believes in them. By supporting Roots, you are making a strategic investment in the next generation of Spokane, ensuring every young person has the mentorship, care, and belonging needed to build strong roots that strengthen us all.
More than a nonprofit. A community.
Roots International partners with refugee and immigrant youth in Spokane and Eastern Washington to build belonging, resilience, and a future worth growing into.