ST. LOUIS — Thanks to a $10 million donation, Washington University (WashU) is offering a tuition-free program for refugees to help further develop their English language and professional skills.

The 26-week program called Empower: Career Success for Refugees is free through WashU’s School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS), according to an online press release.

Evening classes will start in May at Delmar Devine, located at 5535 Delmar Boulevard.

A state grant will fund the program’s 18-month rollout and the university’s $10 million donation will pay for the rest, according to the press release.

“This program is going to change lives,” said Sean Armstrong, dean of CAPS. “We have made a long-term commitment to provide refugees with the tools and support needed to succeed in emerging jobs across the region.” 

Applicants are required to have legal refugee status, basic English skills and a high school education, according to the press release.

Students will gain applied language skills and work toward a CAPS program certificate in either health care, geographic information systems, data analytics or project management.

CAPS will provide course materials, including laptops, according to the press release.

“Many refugees are highly educated and skilled, but they lack language skills and general cultural capital to move into a better job,” said Katie Blackburn Brown, program manager at CAPS.

“Refugees and their families suffer as a result and so does the St. Louis community, which needs talented people in these roles.” 

The St. Louis Mosaic Project has partnered with CAPS to help students build resumes and apply for jobs. WashU staff will work one-on-one with those seeking jobs and track their success, according to the press release.

“What we learned is that there is a gap here, and across the country, in programs that provide those higher-level skills that can serve as a bridge to the next opportunity,” Brown said. “By creating a tailored, cohort-based experience and providing support and mentorship, we believe WashU can be a model.”

For more information about Empower: Career Success for Refugees, click here.