All NYALC cohorts are open to individuals who:

• are between the ages of 18 and 24 at the time of application;

• have lived in the United States for less than 5 years at the time of application;

• have at least an intermediate level of English; and 

• have one of the following statuses (or if you are now a permanent resident, you must have had one of these statuses upon arrival): 

  • Refugee

  • Asylee with Granted Asylum Status* 

  • Afghan Humanitarian Parolee**

  • Afghan or Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Holder or SQ/SI Parolee

  • Afghan youth in the US living with non-parental caregivers

  • Cuban/Haitian Entrant

  • Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee**

  • Victim of Human Trafficking

* Please note that asylum seekers whose applications for asylum are still pending are not eligible for ORR programs, including the NRLLEC.

**Individuals who entered the U.S. with humanitarian parole status, whose parole will soon expire or has expired, and who have a pending parole extension application are eligible for the NRLLEC program.

To support NYALC Council Members to fully engage in the program, all Council Members will receive:

• A $2,000 stipend, paid in installments throughout the Council Term, that may be used to offset time invested during the program or to fund activities for a Council Member’s community project

• Fully paid expenses to attend the Washington, DC, gathering, including flights, ground transportation in DC, accommodations, and meals

Council Members who do not have access to a computer and/or WiFi internet may request the program to provide a laptop and/or WiFi hotspot device. The equipment provided is the property of Refugee Congress and must be returned at the end of the Council Term.

Onboarding and Orientation: NYALC Council Members will meet fellow cohort members, program staff, and partners during virtual social events, and go through a robust onboarding process to prepare to fully participate in the program. Council Members have access to a private online Council Hub that hosts all program materials, a library of resources, and a frequently updated listing of complementary leadership trainings and networking opportunities.

Virtual Training: NYALC Council Members participate in online trainings on topics ranging from public speaking to civic engagement to career development over the course of 10 months. All trainings are held live on Zoom for approximately two hours, and some trainings include self-paced eLearning modules that should be completed prior to the live training date. Trainings are led by subject matter experts and refugee leaders, and offer Council Members the opportunity to apply skills in discussion and small-group activities. All trainings are conducted in English. A full schedule of virtual trainings and topics can be found below.

Peer-Led Training: As part of their development, NYALC Council Members will have the opportunity to go beyond participating in training and step into the role of facilitator. Members will have the opportunity to design and lead a session for their peers, drawing from their own lived experience, knowledge, or professional expertise. 

Community Project: NYALC Council Members will use the skills and knowledge gained during trainings to design and implement a project that will address a need within their community and support fellow newcomers. Council Members will be guided and supported throughout the process. Examples of past NYALC projects include: a mentoring program for newcomers applying to colleges, creation of a housing resource for immigrant youth, a job mentoring program to help newcomer adults find employment that matches their skillset, and an awareness-raising art exhibit featuring refugee artists. Council Members can build upon a community initiative they are already working on or explore a new opportunity. 

Mentorship: Each NYALC Council Member will be paired with a mentor who can support them through their personal and professional development goals, as well as offer guidance on the Council Members’ community project. Council Members are expected to meet with mentors at least monthly.

Washington, DC, Gathering: NYALC Council Members are expected to attend a three-day, in-person gathering in Washington, DC, where they will get to present their community projects, engage in deeper in-person trainings, learn about the U.S. government and civic engagement, and network with refugee leaders, nonprofit executives, and others during an exclusive reception. Travel, accommodation, and meals are provided by the program. 

Platforms to Use Your Voice: Council Members will contribute insights about their unique perspectives and experiences as newcomers through a formal report of recommendations to the Office of Refugee Resettlement and stakeholder webinars to ORR and other service providers.

Program Feedback: Council Members are expected to complete regular online surveys to provide feedback on NYALC trainings, mentorship, and other programming, and to also attend a virtual mid-program feedback session. Feedback enables staff to ensure the program is meeting the needs and interests of Council Members. 

NYALC Council Members are expected to attend and actively participate in orientation sessions, virtual trainings, peer-led trainings, complete regular online surveys, and travel to Washington, DC, for the three-day in-person gathering. Council Members are also expected to complete pre-training assignments and eLearning modules, as well as commit to carrying out a community project. The expected time commitment is between 10 and 20 hours each month, not including the in-person Washington, DC, Gathering in August. Council Members are expected to communicate proactively about any emerging conflicts or emergency absences.

At the start of the Council Term, Council Members will receive and sign the NYALC Code of Conduct, Member Agreement, Social Media Policy, Stipend Policy, and (if applicable) Equipment Agreement. Council Members who violate the terms of the program or have repeated unexcused absences may be removed from the program.

The 2026 Council Term will run from November 2025 to September 2026.

CLICK HERE to see the full tentative schedule for the 2026 NYALC Council Term.

Some dates may change, and additional virtual meetings may be added. Most, if not all, virtual events and trainings will be held on Monday evenings, from 6 to 8 PM Eastern Time.

As mentioned above, Council Members are expected to attend and actively participate in all scheduled Council events, and to proactively communicate any emerging conflicts or emergency absences.