Evolution of an Impactful RJS Coaching Cohort
When Hussein Alzribi and I founded Refugee JumpStart Coaching in May 2021, we started with a handful of my coaching and Organizational Development buddies—mostly from Los Angeles. Then we added some of my fellow coaches from the UK-based Forton Consulting Group. At the time, we were coaching leaders of UNHCR globally. We asked: “How would you like to provide pro bono coaching for the clients your UNHCR leaders are supporting?” To my delight, several top-notch coaches globally stepped up and were eager to participate. Then, through a series of coach referrals and winning the International Coaching Federation’s 2024 Global Social Impact award, other coaches wanted to join us.
RJS has grown to over 60 certified coaches worldwide—from the US, Canada, UK, France, Austria, Poland, Germany, Greece, Belgium, Hungary, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands, Bulgaria, Turkey, Nigeria, Dubai, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, and Malawi.
We wanted to do more than just match coaches with refugee clients. We wanted to build the expertise and professionalism of coaches to work effectively with the unique population of educated, skilled refugees, so we established as one of RJS’s values:
To Foster a Global Learning Community, committed to cultivating a dynamic, inclusive environment where refugees, coaches, mentors, and partners learn from one another. Through shared experiences, cross-cultural exchange, and continuous feedback, we build collective wisdom that strengthens our impact and empowers every individual to grow.
I believe it is a key strength of Refugee JumpStart Coaching that we are truly living our values. We now offer:
Onboard Training for New Coaches, where we explain RJS’s specific methodologies for coaching refugees.
Monthly Peer Coaching Connection Call meetings for our coaches to come together to share their insights, perspectives, and experiences of what they found most helpful in coaching refugees. Due to our geographic spread, we now offer these meetings twice a month to accommodate different time zones.
“Coaching Bites” – As part of our Coaching Connection Call, we have instituted a “Coaching Bite”—an interactive learning session presented by one of our coaches, guest authors, leaders, or successful refugees. It is a way of staying fresh and continuously building our skills as coaches.
Case Review Meetings, which we recently initiated, are ad hoc meetings that provide an opportunity for RJS coaches to meet with well-being coaches—coaches who have been specially trained to coach individuals experiencing trauma or who are struggling to get on solid footing. Coaches present a challenge they are having with their client, ask for feedback, and share ideas for helping build resiliency. We do this while maintaining client confidentiality and always being mindful of when an issue is beyond the scope of a coach and needs to be referred to a therapeutic professional.
Referral to RJS Job Search and Industry Specialist Mentors RJS has created a cadre of volunteers with expertise in job search (interviewing skills, CVs, LinkedIn, etc.) and industry specialists (IT, Healthcare, HR, etc.). When a client needs additional support beyond what the coach can provide, we help connect them with the appropriate mentor resource.
We haven’t been afraid to try new things—some might flop, and others succeed brilliantly. We learn from the experience and keep pushing the envelope to be innovative and always moving forward in service of our clients—our coaches, our mentors, and our staff. It sure helps when you’re surrounded by such exceptional, passionate, and committed people!
