What is RJS’s “Secret Sauce” for Coaching Refugee Clients?

By Bev Weise, Executive Director

What makes Refugee JumpStart Coaching’s program so unique? Why were we selected to win the ICF 2024 Social Impact Award by the International Coaching Federation(ICF)-- chosen from among dozens of other organizations globally?

I believe it is because we have an innovative, well-thought-out approach for coaching refugees, which enables us to help them clarify career goals, rebuild their self-confidence, strengthen their well-being, explore life and career options, develop a successful job search strategy, and keep them accountable and in action.

RJS’s coaching methodology combines basic coaching principles, skills, and ethics with a deep knowledge of the unique challenges faced by refugees in a new country.

We select volunteers who are trained, certified coaches (credentialed through ICF or EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council). They come to us with different coaching expertise: Leadership, Career, Wellness, Life Coaches and more. They already have mastered core coaching skills crucial to being an effective coach. They know how to:

• Build Trust
• Practice Empathy
• Demonstrate Cultural Sensitivity
• Listen “Actively”
• Provide Feedback Authentically
• Ask Reflective Questions
• Mirror back, Paraphrase, and Summarize what they’ve heard
• Seek Out and Elevate Clients’ Strengths, Skills and Talents

Yet, that alone is not enough.

I have often said: “Coaching refugees is a whole other ball game!” To be most effective, it requires applying basic coaching skills AND an appreciation for the unique challenges refugees have faced-- and continue to face-- every day. So, in addition to core coaching skills, we have developed a set of methodologies we believe are necessary to be most effective with this skilled, educated, often traumatized group client base.

Our “Secret Sauce?”

1. A holistic approach--considering the “whole” person (e.g. Country of origin, Individual Differences, Ethnic Culture, Country of Resettlement, etc.);
2. Trauma-informed care principles and practice-- restoring a sense of safety, personal power, and self-worth;
3. A hybrid model of coaching AND mentoring (Both questioning, reflecting back AND ALSO offering information on culture differences, job search strategies, workforce options, etc. Sometimes our refugee clients simply need information.
4. Strengths-based approach to build self-awareness and self-confidence;
5. Transferability of skills to consider applying knowledge and skills to additional career options;
6. Managing Polarities (e.g. Holding clients accountable AND ALSO being flexible and adaptable.)
7. Understanding refugee mindsets and developing coaching strategies to transform those negative mindsets to more empowering ones.

Job Search Specialists

In addition to coaches, we now are also fortunate to have volunteer Job Search Mentors—professional with expertise in recruitment, hiring, and job search, to help our clients with their CVs, job interviewing skills, building a professional network etc.

Industry and Functional Mentors

We have now also incorporated professionals from a variety of industries (e.g. IT, Healthcare, Hospitality, Financial, etc.) and functions (e.g. Bookkeeping, HR, Office Management) who volunteer to mentor our clients in their shared area of interest and experience.

We’re proud of the impact we’re having with our refugee clients.

We’re appreciative of our dedicated, passionate coaches & mentors who are making it happen!

We’re privileged to be supporting such determined, resilient, motivated refugee clients.

We’re honored you are engaged with us at RJS and supporting us in having an impact.