Volunteer Spotlight: Mehraz

Mehraz, now 17, began volunteering with iACT four years ago. She has participated in several of our events, but has found her passion in the iLearn summer program for refugee youth. After three summers of serving as a volunteer at the program, Mehraz decided to step up her commitment and take on a summer internship. As an intern, she helps with registration, coordination and organization every day at the summer program. Mehraz says she misses the day to day work with the children as a volunteer, but that as an intern she really enjoys getting to know more students in a different capacity. Through her internship, she gets to know entire families and learn more of the background of the students.

Despite her young age , Mehraz has a deep understanding of the world around her, which she says her time at iACT has helped her cultivate. Her interaction with the students, she says, has opened her eyes to the realities of the refugee experience. Many refugees arrive to the U.S. after undergoing many traumatic experiences. Although we hear about these crises in the news, she says, those affected are often referred to by the neutral term “civilians.” Her time at iLearn has allowed her to attach humanity to these stories of unrest.

Although working with refugee students has introduced Mehraz to diverse perspectives, she has also enjoyed the cultural practices she shares with some of the students. This year, Ramadan fell on the last full month of the summer program, a tradition that Mehraz practices as a Muslim. Many of the students were surprised to meet an American Muslim, and Mehraz really cherished the opportunity to show students that you can freely practice your religion here in the U.S.

We are so grateful for all the wonderful work Mehraz has done over the years. Such bright, young individuals dedicated to interfaith work give us hope for the future!