The Kashekee Youth Programs empower immigrant youth through cultural pride, agriculture, and community connection. With hands-on learning and supportive mentorship, we help young people build confidence, life skills, and a strong sense of identity.
Interested in applying to our programs? Contact us.
The Kashekee Youth Programs empower immigrant youth through cultural pride, agriculture, and community connection. With hands-on learning and supportive mentorship, we help young people build confidence, life skills, and a strong sense of identity.
Interested in applying to our programs? Contact us.
The SBCA’s Kashekee Youth Programs’ mission is to empower immigrant youth by fostering identity, cultural pride, and community connection. Through agriculture, career exploration, cultural engagement, and healthy living, SBCA programming equips youth with the confidence, resilience, and tools to make informed life choices and contribute to their communities.
We envision a supportive environment where immigrant youth thrive socially and emotionally. Through hands-on activities, after-school programs and partnerships, youth gain essential life skills, cultural pride, and access opportunities for personal growth, preparing them to realize their potential and embrace community involvement.
Oh Yeah, Grows True Leaders is a collaborative partnership between University of Maine 4-H Cooperative Extension and the Somali Bantu Community Association, offering a dynamic after-school program for youth 14-18 years old. Meeting weekly from fall to spring, the program creates a safe and inclusive space where teens build skills, explore new ideas, and grow as leaders. Through hands-on activities in cooking, gardening, and self-care, participants develop mastery, independence, and a deeper understanding of cultural foods, healthy living, the food system, and civic engagement.
The SBCA Kashekee Summer Youth Program provides Somali Bantu youth, ages 5 to 13, with opportunities to engage in life skills such as gardening, cooking, and field trips while learning from youth leaders and benefiting from intergenerational mentorship. The program runs from June through August, meeting three days a week.
Our after-school homework help program meets once a week after school, providing high school students with a supportive space to receive academic assistance, build study skills, and gain confidence, while also receiving guidance on part-time employment and college preparation. With mentorship and resources, we help youth stay on track, complete assignments, and develop strong educational and career-readiness skills.
The Pilot Dugsi program brings together 25 youth participants in a supportive space to learn the Quran, Islamic studies, and cultural values. Held on weekends from 10 AM to 12 PM, the program offers interactive lessons and mentorship to strengthen their faith, identity, and sense of community. This initiative fosters personal growth and empowers the next generation with knowledge and confidence.
The Explore Careers! Honor the Outdoors! (ECHO) Youth after-school programs empower middle and high school students by expanding their knowledge of the great outdoors, local farming practices, and career opportunities in agriculture. Through hands-on experiences and intergenerational learning, participants develop a deep connection with nature, their community, and traditional farming knowledge.
Over eight weeks, youth visit various farms and agricultural sites to explore sustainable practices and potential careers within the vast landscape of Maine’s food system. Guided by mentors and Somali Bantu Elders, students gain valuable insights into agriculture while strengthening cultural ties. While activities may be adjusted due to weather or site availability, our commitment remains to provide enriching and meaningful outdoor learning experiences.
This program was made possible through community partnerships!
Every contribution, whether time or money, supports the success of this community.
Your donation supports our mission to empower immigrants and refugees in Maine.
Contact us if you are looking to volunteer your time or work with us.
We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions or respond to your comments.
