Against Military Coup: Free Burma + RIT on the Radio

May 4, 2021 - More than 700 people have been killed in Burma by the military regime, which took power in that country on February 1. "More than 10 people a day are paying the highest price for freedom and justice and democracy,” says Ko Ko Lay, RIT Board Member and activist for democracy. He adds: "This shouldn't happen... not only in Burma, shouldn't be anywhere around the world."

Listen to this interview on SF Public Press CIVIC podcast, featuring Ko Ko Lay (RIT Board & Free Burma Action Committee) and Jane Pak (RIT Board Chair).

(You can also find the CIVIC podcast on major podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify)

Pictured: Free Burma rally in San Francisco

News of violence is taking its toll on many of our neighbors who are from Burma. Members of the diaspora in the Bay Area have been worried about loved ones in Burma, and tirelessly protesting the military coup.

“These are your neighbors here,” says Jane Pak. “Our hearts and our souls are also in places of origin for those who have migrated here. And we can’t forget that, because by extension, we’re all global neighbors. ...We know that, and COVID has made that abundantly clear.”

Visit the Free Burma Action Committee page to learn and take action in solidarity with the pro-democracy movement:

RIT Adult Classes in the News!

December 14, 2020 - Association of Continuing Education have highlighted RIT’s adult classes on their blog! Click on the button below to read the article:

"It’s not easy learning English, especially if one’s native language has no sound or spelling connections to English... But the adult students attending the online ACE Learning Center class, a partnership between Oakland International High School (OIHS) and Refugee & Immigrant Transitions (RIT), show their grit at each class."

Learn more about RIT’s adult classes and other education programs here.

Media Mentions: 2019

September 25, 2019: Inside San Francisco highlighted us in its list “10 nonprofits seeking volunteers in SF.”

March 20, 2019: TechEquity Collaborative’s Giving Circle chose RT as a supported organization for the Winter giving cycle. “RT’s focus on the whole family and their multifaceted support strategy… makes them a truly special organization.” Read more on the TechEquity Collaborative blog, and support RT and the other finalist agencies—1951 Coffee and Immigrants Rising.

February 6, 2019: Our Executive Director, Laura Vaudreuil, has been named as one of the “43 Refugee and Immigrant Advocates to Know” by Hello Neighbor.

January 15, 2019: We have been included by Oakland’s Women Sound Off festival as one of the “15 Nonprofits to Give Back to in 2019.”

RT on the Radio: KBLX Cares

Laura Vaudreuil, RT Executive Director and Jyoti Gurung, RT Development and Program Associate came in to talk about the non-profit orgnaization Refugee Transitions, a Bay Area nonprofit. We serve all newcomers who have sought refuge in the U.S. and are currently living in the Bay Area.

In December 2018, RT’s Executive Director, Laura Vaudreuil, and Development and Program Associate, Jyoti Gurung visited 102.9 KBLX to present our agency at KBLX Cares with Sterling James! Check out this interview to learn more about our organization.

Refugee Transitions In The News 2017-2018

RT's Volunteering Program on Life in the Bay, 2018

In "Volunteering: A New Year's Resolution Worth Keeping," Life in the Bay spotlights Refugee Transitions' volunteering program.  Click here to join our inspiring community of volunteers!

Oakland International High School (and RT) in the Washington Post, 2018 

Our long-time partner, Oakland International High School (OIHS) has been featured in the Washington Post, with Refugee Transitions earning a cameo in the story. Support services were cited as key enablers of OIHS students’ success, and RT was flagged as one of the service providers. Our agency has been a close OIHS partner since the school opened in 2007. We provide parent language and literacy classes, after-school tutoring, and a youth leadership program. In addition, about 40-50 OIHS students each year receive our home-based tutoring/mentoring through trained volunteers. We’re so proud of our dedicated staff and volunteers who work with OIHS students and their parents!

Jyoti Gurung on ABC7 News, 2017

Refugee Transitions' Development and Program Associate, Jyoti Gurung received a 2017 Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Award for Youth Leadership. The Heritage Awards which kick off the APA Heritage Month, recognize exemplary youth leaders who have made a distinct impact in the community and serve as inspirational models for youth. Read the story on the ABC7 News website or Facebook page. 

Refugee Transitions' Youth Leaders in SF Magazine, 2017

In "This High School Program Is Giving Refugee Students a Leg Up," San Francisco Magazine is introducing its readers to Refugee Transitions' youth leadership program. Our youth leaders (peer and alumni tutors) play a critical role in our after-school programs by providing native language/culture support to other students. At least 95% of our students who pass through our youth leadership program, continue their education in college. 

Refugee Transitions on Swissnex, 2017

RT's Development Coordinator, Julia Glosemeyer presented the agency at the Swissnex "Everyone is a Humanitarian" event. Click here to listen to the interview. 

Refugee Transitions English Class on NPR

December 15, 2016: "An English language class that benefits both parents and children" by Hannah Kingsley-Ma

"In a sun-filled classroom at an Oakland high school, a room full of adults are learning English.

Everyone here is a refugee, asylum seeker, or recent immigrant who has resettled in the East Bay, and each has sought out this free English language class offered by the nonprofit Refugee Transitions. Parents and relatives of kids in the Oakland Unified School District can sign up first.

These adult students hail from countries like Burma, Peru, Yemen and China. Some have college degrees, some never went to school, but they’re all eager to learn, in part to be better equipped to participate in their children’s education."

Read more on the KALW Local Public Radio website! 

Refugee Transitions In The News 2010-2016

For coverage of our Between Meals cookbook, please head to the Between Meals section.

"Once Upon a Time a Refugee" on Tandem Blog, 2016

RT is mentioned in our partner Tandem's article "Once Upon a Time a Refugee: Stories of Resilience and Strength" published in conjunction with World Refugee Day 2016. 

EdSource Story on Refugee Parent Engagement, 2016

RT is mentioned in the EdSource article "To reach parents, schools try universal language on data". This article is helpful for anyone who would like to know about the problems many of our students face.

RT Student Halimo in Vice, 2015

RT student Halimo, whose story and recipes were also included in our Between Meals cookbook, was featured in the second episode of the Munchies Refugee Chefs show!

Nakachi Clark-Kasimu in Voices in Urban Education, 2015

Our former After-School Program Coordinator, Nakachi Clark-Kasimu, was interviewed for Voices in Urban Education about serving refugee and unaccompanied minor students. Click here to read this in-depth interview. 

RT on Bay Area Focus, 2014

Jane Pak, RT's Director of Strategy and Development, and Nakachi Clark-Kasimu, After-School Program Coordinator, presenting our services on KBCW-TV's Bay Area Focus talk show.

RT on ABC7 Bay Area, 2012

Laura Vaudreuil, executive director of Refugee Transitions, explains the agency's needs, services, and mission to Cheryl Jennings in ABC7's Behind the Headlines look at literacy.

RT in Forced Migration Review, 2012

In "Mentoring for resettled youth," Lauren Markham provides a thoughtful perspective on why newcomer youth need special support, and how they work with RT to create paths to self-sufficiency for themselves and their families. 

RT on Alice @ 97.3, 2011 

Alice @ 97.3 FM featured a discussion of Refugee Transitions' services with Executive Director Laura Vaudreuil and also highlighted a performance at San Francisco's ODC Theater, featuring the performances of two Refugee Transitions students. See the full interview here.  

RT on KQED, 2010

RT Volunteer Hope Richardson

RT Volunteer Hope Richardson was featured in "The Giving State" on KQED's California Report. This program highlights the ways Californians are giving back to their state. Hope was selected and discussed her volunteer work with Refugee Transitions. Listen to the full interview here.