21st CENTURY SKILLS
WE START WITH
AND END AT SELF-RELIANCE.
Critical Thinking
Collaboration
Storytelling
Digital Skills
Media Literacy
Financial Literacy
Leadership
Entrepreneurship
Our Solution
"How do you Google?" was asked in earnest by a 15-year-old Syrian refugee boy. He held out his mom's mobile phone. No one in his family had ever performed a search despite spending copious amounts of time on Facebook and WhatsApp.
This was the moment that sparked Hello Future into existence.
Basic digital literacy, the ability to find, share, and create content online, transforms a toy into a tool. One that can help refugees continue their education, build in-demand skills, and connect with other aspiring peers.
Since our inception in 2016, we've developed an innovative digital basics course (Hello Future 101) with great success implementing it in refugee camps through local instructors. In 2019-20, we added unique opportunities for mentorship and competition for refugee youth and virtual learning programs where U.S. teens can learn and interact with their refugee peers.
Refugees are ordinary people living in extraordinary circumstances. The majority of refugees worldwide are stuck in limbo with limited economic or educational opportunities. Their talents and potential are just waiting to be realized.
Globally, only 3% of refugees can access a university education. In addition to barriers to admission and the cost to attend universities, refugee families often cannot afford to lose a potential wage earner for the 4-6 years higher education requires.
We must harness the immense human potential within these aspiring students. Refugee youth need another option for education and skills training, one that is less of a time commitment than a traditional university education and designed to give them the most indispensable tools so they may succeed in creating a livelihood for themselves and their families.
With these goals in mind, we have created three additional courses, building upon our existing program and culminating in a Small Business Incubator for Refugees (launching Fall 2021). Small business is the backbone of any economy. In the U.S., 44% of economic activity is generated by small businesses. Refugees in both camps and urban settings engage in significant economic activity already -- sometimes formally, often informally. A successful small business can lift a refugee family out of poverty and towards self-reliance, while also anchoring and benefiting the community as a whole.
As we continue our foundational course, Digital Skills and Problem Solving, we will add Leadership and Social Innovation; Financial Literacy; Storytelling; and Advocacy. Students who have successfully completed the four foundational courses will be eligible to enter our Small Business Incubator. In this four-month program, students will learn the core teachings of a traditional MBA program, have access to mentorship to test their business ideas or update an existing family business, and receive a seed capital grant.
Our Core Programs
We have developed a complete ecosystem to support youth development, from digital literacy and problem-solving to becoming small business owners and community leaders. In this 300 hours, end-to-end programming, youth have an opportunity to learn and practice essential 21st-century skills that will support them in their pathway forward.
OUR CORE PROGRAM
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AI, Digital Lit & 21st century skills (HF101)
Digital literacy, including A.I. basics, email, cloud storage, and Google tools, is essential for modern work. Our course starts with these fundamentals, ensuring youth are proficient. Students then engage in self-directed projects to enhance media literacy and communication skills. Through entrepreneurship and Design Thinking, they move from apathy to agency, gaining confidence by conducting real-life experiments. They tackle community issues, think critically, and problem-solve, ultimately feeling empowered to make a difference.
40 hours
3hrs per day
4 weeks -
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Financial Literacy (HF201)
Students are introduced to personal finance management, covering core concepts like gross and net profits, compound interest, and assets and liabilities. They calculate the profitability of their business ideas and submit fictitious loan proposals to understand how banks or investors assess financial viability. Along the way, they explore the psychology of money and practice money management for their personal life.
18 hours
2 hrs per day
2-4 weeks -
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Storytelling for Advocacy & Marketing (HF203)
Students build on social-emotional learning while mastering the tactical skills of crafting stories to achieve specific goals. They learn to write clearly, express themselves convincingly, and think analytically. The course highlights the role of marketing and communications in business success. Students apply their skills by creating a commercial, allowing them to immediately put their learning into practice.
36-48 hours
3 hrs per day
4-8 weeks -
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Systems Design (HF205)
Students expand on design thinking into systems practice to gain a macro view of the world. They learn about the interconnected and interdependent nature of all systems, uncovering the dynamics that impact communities and businesses. This broader perspective helps students see how they can be key players in creating a thriving community. Understanding these complex connections fosters generosity, increases empathy, and shifts their mindset from blame to recognizing opportunities for positive change.
48 hours
3 hrs per day
8 weeks -
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Entrepreneurship & Small Business Incubator (HF-301)
The final course in our sequential program offers refugee youth a mini-MBA course in problem-solving and business formation. This structured training brings together knowledge from previous courses, applying it to create viable businesses. Over three months, students learn business fundamentals, conduct user-centric research to validate their ideas, and pitch them to a panel for start-up grants. This process equips them with the skills needed for self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
132 hrs
3 hrs per day
14 weeks
OUR STAND ALONE COURSES
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A.I. & Digital Literacy
In this standalone course, students are introduced to the fundamentals of digital literacy and A.I. They will have the opportunity to practice real-world use cases of incorporating A.I. while engaging in discussions about the benefits and challenges of this emerging technology.
12 hours
2hrs per day
2 weeks -
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No Code Game Design
In the No Code Game Design course, students learn to create digital games without programming knowledge. Using intuitive, open-source tools, they explore game mechanics, storytelling, and design principles. The course emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, allowing students to bring their game ideas to life while developing key skills in project management and logic. By the end, students will have designed their own playable games.
36 hours
3hrs per day
4-6 weeks -
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Debate Clube
In this course, we work on critical thinking, public speaking, and persuasive skills. Students learn to research, construct logical arguments, and anticipate counterpoints. Through structured debates, students practice articulating ideas clearly, responding to opposing views, and developing teamwork and empathy. The club fosters respect for diverse perspectives and equips students with essential communication skills for both academic and real-world situations.
24 hours
3hrs per day
2-4 weeks -
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Leadership
In a Leadership Course, students develop essential skills such as decision-making, communication, and team management. They learn to inspire and motivate others, resolve conflicts, and lead with integrity. Through interactive activities and real-world scenarios, students build confidence, self-awareness, and the ability to influence positive change, preparing them to take on leadership roles in any setting.
108 hours
3hrs per day
12 weeks -
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Communication & Marketing 101
Students learn the basics of effective communication and marketing strategies. The course covers key concepts like audience analysis, message crafting, and brand positioning. Students gain practical skills in digital marketing, social media management, and content creation, enabling them to effectively promote ideas, products, or services. By the end, students are equipped to create compelling marketing campaigns and communicate persuasively in various contexts.
108 hours
3hrs per day
12 weeks -
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Entrepreneurship & Small Business Incubator
Students learn how to turn ideas into viable businesses. The course covers essential topics like business planning, market research, and financial management. Students explore innovation, risk-taking, and problem-solving, while gaining practical experience through real-world projects. By the end, they are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to launch and manage their own businesses, fostering creativity and self-reliance.
135 hours
3hrs per day
15weeks
