Reflections on 2025: Courage, Connection and Quiet Victories
As we close this year at Refugee JumpStart Coaching, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary resilience shown by every refugee who joined our program in 2025. While the world often sees displacement through statistics, we see it through individual journeys, each one marked by courage, effort and the hope for a better future.
This year, 65 clients received one-on-one coaching across more than 10 countries, including originally from Uganda, Sudan, Burundi, Ghana, DRC, South Sudan, Syria and others. Together, they completed 366 coaching sessions, supported by volunteer coaches who donated over 470 hours of their expertise.
These numbers represent real people taking meaningful steps forward, applying for jobs, preparing for interviews, uncovering strengths, or simply believing in themselves again.
A Year of Learning and Leadership
In 2025, we offered 11 workshops and more than 460 hours of training, helping refugees build communication skills, confidence, AI literacy, financial skills, and networking abilities. We also connected 37 individuals to job-search mentors for targeted career support.
Our clients further benefited from expanded learning opportunities through LinkedIn Premium, Google Learning, Coursera and DuoLingo testing, partnerships designed to help them compete more effectively in today’s job market. These tools, combined with coaching, helped many refugees regain momentum in their professional lives.
Entrepreneurship as a Pathway Forward
One of our proudest achievements this year was the completion of the JumpStarters Entrepreneurship Pilot Program in Athens. Refugee entrepreneurs learned to develop business plans, strengthen their financial understanding, and pitch their ideas to a panel of professionals.
For many, this was the first time they were invited to see themselves not just as jobseekers but as future business owners, innovators, and contributors.
What We Learned This Year
Coaches frequently shared that working with our clients inspired their own personal and professional growth. They described becoming more patient, more curious and more aware of the deep resilience refugees demonstrate every day.
This mutual learning is the heart of RJS. We grow because our clients grow.
A Closing Reflection
As 2025 comes to an end, I am deeply grateful to everyone who made this work possible; our clients, coaches, volunteers, partners and supporters.
Our accomplishments this year reflect what can happen when people are seen, supported and encouraged to continue their journey forward.
Thank you for walking alongside us.
Thank you for believing in what refugees can achieve.
And thank you for helping us carry this mission into 2026.
With deep appreciation,
Bev Weise
Executive Director
Refugee JumpStart Coaching
