-founded-one-respef4e48478fcc661ab9afdff0000724a5f.jpg?sfvrsn=f722e58c_0&w=411&dpr=2&auto=compress%2cformat "Karson Baldwin (far right) founded One Respe.")
University School senior Karson Baldwin is a matchmaker. After touring Thomas Jefferson International Newcomers Academy three years ago as part of his local chapter of Hope Worldwide, he founded One Respe (pronounced o-nay res-pay), a partnership between students from that school and others in the area. Students at the K-12 academy are non-English speakers who attend for up to two years, with the goal of joining English-speaking classrooms in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The local students, known as “buddies,” pair up with newcomers to visit each other’s schools and spend time together. One Respe won a $5,000 grant from Cleveland Leadership Center’s Accelerate 2019 based on a presentation by Baldwin and his first buddy, Congolese immigrant Israel Kambomba.
When I first toured the school, I was amazed. These kids were so excited to learn. I was really inspired.
We started by doing a couple collaborative projects between my school and Newcomers Academy, but I soon realized that what the students needed was a social connection. Making your first American friend can make you go from feeling like a stranger to feeling at home.
Two years ago when this started, it involved sophomores from University School and the Newcomers Academy. This past year we involved juniors and seniors, and now a few more schools are taking part. Our goal is be able to pair everyone at the school. Israel and I are both planning to go to college next fall. We’re trying to find a student at each school who can lead once I graduate.
COVID-19 impacted things pretty significantly. We had to cancel in-person events. We kept our relationships going online and with a Duolingo competition, where buddies learn either the newcomer’s language or the one they’re learning at school, and the newcomers work on their English.
Most of us will never feel what it’s like to be a refugee. But we’re getting a broad sense of culture and humility, and a broader understanding of what it’s like to be a refugee. It helps Americans learn that immigrants and refugees aren’t these labels we give them. They’re real people. And it’s easier to understand that when they’re our best friends. — as told to Ruth Corradi Beach
Click here to meet more do-gooders, find out how you can help your community and read the rest of our "Do Good" package.
