Table of Contents
Letters from the Editors
Olivia Y. Owens & Jaden R. Taher
I would say that one of the best parts of my year is working with Jaden on JaxTHRIVE Newsletters. We are approaching our third year working as CoEditor-In-Chiefs and we spend a majority of our time laughing and editing them late at night with one another. Now, we have wonderful new editors and designers as additions to our team and it has made the process much easier and rewarding, though we continue to learn how to function as a larger team. Telling the stories of such kind and deserving people is the most wonderful honor, and to go on the journey with my very favorite CoEditor and amazing new team is a writer’s dream.
- Olivia Yvonne Owens, Co-Editor-In-Chief of Together We Thrive
For millennia, the practice of sharing stories has been a sacred tradition in communities across the globe. Across time and space, individuals have shared their experiences as a means to preserve identity, enlighten others, and connect with those around them. At JaxTHRIVE, we believe in the power of the written word to foster connections. For the past three years, we have voiced the diverse viewpoints, mindsets, and opinions of refugees that hail from across the world, along with those of our volunteers. I am grateful for the immense privilege of working alongside my exceptional Co-Editor-in-Chief, Olivia With our growing team, Olivia and I strive to foster a forum where every voice thrives
- Jaden Ramzey Taher, Co-Editor-In-Chief of Together We Thrive
Meet the Newsletter Team
Olivia Owens
Co-Editor-In-Chief
Jaden Taher Co-Editor-In-Chief
Megan Seifried Copy Editor
Sarah Maloney Formatting Editor
Gianna Goll Design Editor
Enakshi Bansal Public Relations Editor
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Sarah & Carter’s Farewell
Carter Magnano & Sarah Park
Dear JaxTHRIVE Friends,
As we prepare to begin an exciting new chapter in our lives, we want to take a moment to say thank you.
Serving as Co-Presidents of JaxTHRIVE has been one of the most meaningful experiences of our high school years. From early Saturday mornings to latenight planning calls, every moment has been filled with purpose, connection, and joy. It has been an honor to work alongside such passionate volunteers and resilient students who inspire us every day
This fall, both of us will be heading off to Cambridge, Massachusetts, with Sarah going to Harvard University, and Carter to MIT. While we’re stepping back from our leadership roles, we’re not stepping away from the mission JaxTHRIVE will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we’re excited to see how it continues to grow under new leadership.
With heartfelt appreciation, Carter Magnano & Sarah Park
JaxTHRIVE will miss our two wonderful Co-Presidents, but we know they will thrive in Cambridge! On behalf of the entire JaxTHRIVE community, we thank Carter and Sarah for their support and positivity in the lives of everyone around them.
Youth Impact Mital
Over the past couple of months, our family, specifically our daughters, had the incredible opportunity to be part of something truly special Kareena (our 11-year-old) and Leela (our 9-year-old) volunteered with JaxThrive during Super Saturday in partnership with Kim’s Open Door. And what a joyful, eyeopening experience it was!
From the moment they walked into the room filled with smiles and energy, our girls were welcomed with open arms not just by the wonderful team of volunteers and coordinators, but by the young refugee students they would be spending the day with. What made it even more meaningful was that many of the students they worked with were the same age as them, making it feel more like new friendships than just volunteering.
One of Kareena's favorite parts of the day was "playing Blooket!" She enjoyed helping the students navigate the computer programs commonly used in schools. Whether it was guiding them through educational games or showing them how to use certain tools, she loved the feeling of being able to share what she has learned in school with someone else. It was empowering for her and heartwarming for us to see her step into a leadership role with such confidence and kindness.
After the tech time came a much-anticipated creative break: crafts; Leela's favorite part! The laughter and chatter that filled the room as they painted, glued, and created alongside their new friends was pure magic They exchanged stories about their favorite animals, learned a few words in different languages, and were absolutely fascinated to hear about different customs and traditions. The cultural exchange was beautiful it sparked curiosity, empathy, and a growing appreciation for diversity that we know will stick with them.
One of the most touching things they shared afterward was how grateful they felt just to be allowed to volunteer. Many organizations have minimum age limits that exclude younger kids, but JaxThrive made a way for them to get involved. Feeling seen and trusted at this age has been such a confidence booster for both of them
They're also thrilled about what’s ahead. Since JaxThrive is student-led and supported by high school volunteers, they’re excited to stay involved and grow with the organization as they move through middle and high school. It’s more than just a one-time experience it’s the beginning of a journey in service, compassion, and leadership
We are so proud of our girls for stepping up with open hearts and eager minds. And we’re beyond thankful to JaxThrive and Kim’s Open Door for giving them this chance not only to make a difference, but to see how much of a difference they can truly make.
Reducing Waste & Increasing Education
Olivia Owens
This past year, I had the opportunity to partake in the Global Entrepreneurship Challenge with my school. The goal of the challenge was to create a product or service that helped to reduce waste. My team discovered that our Bolles IT department had over 110 Surface Go computers that were completely usable but sat aside in storage. Due to the Florida legislature, it is often mandated that workers like educators or doctors replace their computers within a few years to maintain up-to-date technology. The Surfaces we found were in great shape and only a few years old, but had been cast aside without a place to go due to the laws. Our team donated many of the computers to JaxTHRIVE, with the hopes of helping as many families as possible. We wanted to facilitate education as well as to reduce waste. As high school students preparing for college in this climate, we know how essential a computer is to learning. Between college applications, essay writing technology, search engines, and more, everyone deserves a computer and an equal chance to succeed. I am so happy to say that we accomplished our goal and even got to meet some of the people who received the computers, like a fighter pilot from Afghanistan. The Bolles community and our GEC team was honored to help and adored our time on the project.
Christ Church Bunnies
JaxTHRIVE Volunteer
These lovingly made bunnies are given to children who attend Super Saturdays, a program supported by Kim’s Open Door and JaxThrive two organizations that work tirelessly to support refugee and under-resourced youth in the Jacksonville area. The bunnies are more than just toys; they are thoughtful gifts that provide a sense of security and belonging to children facing challenging circumstances.
The Stitchers of Love have gone above and beyond in their efforts, knitting over 250 bunnies to be included in care packages distributed through Blessings in a Backpack. This program provides weekend meals to children who might otherwise go hungry when school meals are unavailable. During Easter, these special deliveries are enhanced by the soft, handmade bunnies from the Stitchers of Love, making the experience even more meaningful for the children who receive them.
Through their craftsmanship and generosity, the Stitchers of Love exemplify the spirit of community service. Their work is a powerful reminder that small acts of kindness like knitting a bunny can have a lasting impact on a child’s life.
Graduating Leadership
We are proud to honor our graduating leadership council.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA
Harvard University Cambridge, MA
Boston College Boston, MA
University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA
University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
University of Florida Gainesville, FL
Sarah Park Carter Magnano Ayak Akech
Amir Chalavi
Tate Luek
Jaden Taher
New Angles
Zachary Jurus
Over the past few months, I have had the privilege of tutoring a new student. Typically, we tackle subjects like reading and math. Lately, we’ve been analyzing paragraph structure in English, as well as angles in math. However, through teaching, I’ve come to realize that tutoring is all about “care for the person.” When we put the success of others into consideration, we can truly see students shine.
Happy learning, Zachary Jurus
My name is Lucy Kim, and I manage the Korean JaxTHRIVE branch. I first began the organization at my school in 2022 after hearing of it from my cousin Sarah Park, who volunteers for JaxTHRIVE in Jacksonville, Florida. Overwhelmed by the positive influence and support, I felt compelled to do the same in my home country. The club was small at first, with only 3-5 members, but it grew over time to over ten! Volunteering online, especially with the 13-hour time difference, was a bit of a challenge, but everyone was incredibly excited, enthusiastic, and grateful to have the chance to volunteer, and that made my experience managing the club a lot easier. Overall, the time I spent in JaxTHRIVE, whether it be in Jacksonville or in Korea, was unforgettable. Many friendships and connections flourished through being a part of JaxTHRIVE, and it's been a highlight of my high school career.
Sincerely,
Lucy Kim
JaxTHRIVE in Korea Lucy Kim
Omar’s Update from UAE
Omar Abou Zahr
In our senior year, my classmates and I launched a tutoring project, as part of our International Baccalaureate Diploma Program’s (IBDP) Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) component, to uplift refugee students, a community I cherish for their resilience despite disrupted academic paths. Partnering with JaxThrive, I led nine classmates in a schoolapproved initiative to tutor a total of six students. As leader, manager, and tutor, I paired tutors with refugees, ensured classmate availability, and scheduled sessions, while participating in the tutoring myself
Tutoring a Lebanese girl, newly immigrated from my homeland, was profoundly meaningful. She struggled with Chemistry concepts taught in English, so I translated and simplified them in our Lebanese dialect, bridging her language gap. Witnessing her confidence grow as she grasped key ideas reinforced my commitment to service. This connection to Lebanon deepened my sense of responsibility to serve global communities, leading the initiative with more purpose.
The project’s impact rippled beyond the six students. It united my classmates in a shared mission, fostering a culture of collaboration and cooperation. By coordinating schedules and pairings, teamwork was cultivated, inspiring my peers to embrace responsibility The initiative’s success spurred plans for a permanent tutoring club at our school to sustain this support. I hope to see this global service continue in the coming batches of students at my school and to see more posts in JaxThrive’s newsletter. This experience sharpened my leadership, teaching me to navigate challenges with compassion and wisdom.
Leading a project serving the public good highlighted the importance and ease of service. My team and I were able to serve students internationally through our laptops, proving the importance of employing technology to serve the public good. I honed my skills of taking initiative, leadership, and management throughout this project, while positively impacting my friends, my school, and students abroad.
The experience with JaxThrive has been great, and I highly encourage students everywhere to participate in this honorable service. I, and the whole team, would like to thank Ms. Elizabeth Paul and the JaxThrive organization for this amazing opportunity, in hopes that our school will continue to work with you in the future.
Omar Abou Zahr, A senior at the American International School of Abu Dhabi
The Key to Thriving: The Importance of Education in Improving the Lives of Refugees
Refugeeswhoattendsecondary
Jaden Taher
school are THREE times... ...more likely to attend higher education
andfindjobs.
Each calendar year, the United Nations Refugee Agency hosts World Refugee Day to honor the approximately 120 million refugees globally. This serves as an opportunity to reflect upon how we, as the JaxTHRIVE community, are striving to improve the lives of refugee students and how we can expand our impact. We believe that among the most important tools are education and connection. Through tutoring, workshops, and activities, JaxTHRIVE is dedicated to supporting refugees in achieving their dreams.
Globally, only 4 in every 10 refugees have access to secondary school. According to the UNHCR.
Cozy for the Holidays
Enakshi Bansal
Last week, JaxThrive’s Christmas project ended, and it was met with overwhelming success during the two weeks leading up to it. Thanks to the generosity of volunteers and club members across Jacksonville, several gift baskets were created and delivered
One of the most heartwarming aspects of the Holiday “Cozy” Gift Basket Drive is its ability to touch the lives of children across all school levels elementary, middle, and high school. For example, I had the privilege of assembling a basket for a young girl named Kawsar, who is in elementary school. It filled me with immense joy to imagine her face lighting up with a bright, beautiful smile as she opened her gift. Inside, I included a selection of stuffed animals, a coloring book, cozy pajamas, socks, and a homemade card simple but thoughtful gifts that I hope brought her comfort and happiness.
That basket represented everything I had always dreamed of receiving as a child, and it was an opportunity to give another young girl an expression of love and warmth JaxThrive’s mission extends beyond providing academic resources, such as tutoring; the true impact lies in the volunteers who bring moments of pure joy into the lives of these children. The baskets are just one way we can help make their holidays a little brighter
These baskets create unity among the refugees, as seen by two key items they all have: pajamas and homemade cards. Whether they are shorts and a T-shirt or a warm, full-sleeved fleece, each pajama set is comfortable and unique. These pajamas serve as a reminder of the joyful memories Christmas brings Because of this, I selected a pajama set featuring Santa Claus. The homemade cards are a heartfelt expression of the volunteers' efforts, setting them apart from store-bought alternatives. The kids can proudly show off their pajamas and cards, knowing each child has received one to show
While volunteers generously purchase gifts, some also give handmade items, which add a personal touch. As a child, I loved creating tiny rubber band bracelets and charms an activity known as Rainbow Loom With that memory in mind, I made a few special charms for Kawsar, including a small owl, a flower, and a snowflake.
Though this year's cozy Christmas baskets have come to a close, the memories they create will remain with the children throughout their lives The basket drive has been one of the highlights of my time working with JaxThrive, and I believe it’s an experience every volunteer should embrace. Year after year, these baskets have proven to be a wonderful, meaningful way for everyone to celebrate Christmas and enjoy a joyful holiday season.
EmpowHer Initiative
Maya Jones
At JaxTHRIVE, we believe that every girl deserves the tools, support, and confidence to thrive no matter where she comes from or what challenges she has faced. The EmpowHer initiative is dedicated to uplifting and mentoring refugee girls as they adjust to life in a new country.
Rooted in the belief that education, wellness, and empowerment go hand in hand, this initiative was designed to provide refugee girls with practical resources and support. It involved mentorship by pairing girls with thoughtful volunteers during the Super Saturday sessions. These relationships create a foundation of trust and guidance during the oftenoverwhelming process of resettlement.
EmpowHER took a holistic approach- a selfdefense clinic on personal safety and confidence, a yoga workshop to emphasize the importance of mind and body wellness and stress management, along with the distribution of essential feminine hygiene products to ensure dignity and self-care were highlights of the program.
But empowerment also means equipping girls for independence. A financial literacy workshop introduced basic budgeting, banking, and saving skills to the students and their families. These life tools will serve them far beyond the classroom and into adulthood
We hope to grow the EmpowHer initiative even more in the upcoming year.
