In Spokane, Washington, Roots International equips refugee and immigrant youth with the mentorship, skills, and community they need to thrive and grow. When young people have a place to belong, everything changes.

Strong roots change everything.

See Our Impact

22%

All U.S. youth between the ages of 14 and 24 are either immigrants themselves or live in immigrant families.

1 in 5 of America's youth are building their futures between two worlds. They deserve strong roots in our community.

The young people Roots International serves are already resilient — they've navigated displacement, new languages, and new worlds. What they need now is a community that believes in them. By supporting Roots, you are making a strategic investment in the next generation of Spokane — ensuring every young person has the mentorship, care, and belonging needed to build strong roots that strengthen us all.

Get Involved

Six Pathways. One Purpose.

Sports

The Doorway to Connection

Sports break down walls faster than words. On the field, a young person navigating a new language finds a place where they immediately belong — no translation needed. Includes: Sporting events, summer camps, and day camps

Young woman smiling and embracing someone outdoors, wearing headphones and a hoodie, with a blue sky and clouds in the background.

Mentorship

Changing Directions

A mentor can change a young person's entire trajectory. We ensure no youth walks their journey alone — connecting them with people who see their potential and believe in it. Includes: One-on-one matches, group circles, peer support networks.

Education

A young boy with short curly hair, wearing an orange shirt and ripped jeans, sitting outdoors on grass with a blurred green background.

Building Bridges

Many refugee youth arrive behind academically through no fault of their own. We provide the scaffolding they need to catch up, move forward, and never be left behind again. Includes: Tutoring, college readiness, vocational training

Arts

Three children playing outdoors in a park with green grass and trees. One girl in the foreground is making a silly face with her tongue out, wearing a white Calvin Klein T-shirt and jeans. A girl behind her is striking a playful pose with her hand near her face, wearing a dark dress. A young boy in the background is listening with earphones, wearing an orange shirt and jeans.

Reclaiming the Narrative

Creativity allows young people to express pain, joy, and culture in ways words alone cannot. Through the arts, our youth reclaim their voices and share their stories on their own terms. Includes: Storytelling, photography, dance, music

Leadership

Young man smiling outdoors on a soccer field, wearing an Argentina national team jersey with FIFA and Adidas badges, with blurred background of other players and trees.

Recognizing Potential

These youth are already leaders — they translate for their families and adapt to new worlds every day. We help them recognize that strength and step boldly into it. Includes: Leadership workshops, public speaking, community projects

Mental Health

Close-up of a young man with short red hair, smiling outdoors on a sunny day, with a blue sky and people in the background.

A Safe Place to Be Whole

Trauma and displacement leave invisible wounds. We provide a safe haven where youth can rest, heal, and rebuild — surrounded by care that meets them exactly where they are. Includes: Counseling, support groups, family trauma-informed care

Every pathway is a lifeline.

When you support Roots International, you're not just funding programs — you're investing in a future where every young person has roots deep enough to weather any storm.

See Our Full Impact

More than a nonprofit. A community.

Roots International partners with refugee and immigrant youth in Spokane and Eastern Washington to build belonging, resilience, and a future worth growing into.

Who We Are