Fostering Refugees to Integrate, Explore, Nurture, and Discover, Incorporated (FRIEND, Inc.) was founded in the fall of 2012 by four high school seniors who were inspired to make an everlasting impact on their community. Upon returning from a summer trip to Serbia and Hungary with the U.S. Department of State Youth Leadership Program with Central Europe (YLPCE), Riya and Patrick had the idea of developing a program to support the multicultural youth of their community. They shared their vision with their two friends, Annika, who had participated in the Iraqi Young Leadership Exchange Program, and Brandon, who was involved with YLPCE when European participants visited Vermont; and the four joined together in this youth initiative. Aware of the cultural tension and isolation that former refugees feel, they created a buddy program where high school volunteers and multicultural youth interact in pairs and in structured group environments. Participants will take group field trips and buddy pairs will spend time together experiencing Vermont. The program includes partnering with local business to expose the multicultural youth to art, music, sports, and other aspects of culture. They hope to expose the former refugees to different activities that they don’t generally have the opportunity to experience so they can find their passions, and to help them create friendships that will change their lives.
Meet the Board of Directors!
Riya Patel, President
Riya Patel is currently a senior at South Burlington High School. She is so thankful for this supportive community that has given her a multitude of opportunities, and she's excited to give back! Riya spent the best summer of her life with Pat in the U.S. Department of State Youth Leadership Program with Central Europe. She loves working with children and is eager to develop new friendships through FRIEND, Inc. In addition to serving her community, Riya enjoys playing the violin, being outdoors, running cross country, trying new foods, and laughing with friends. The greatest moment of her life was hugging President Obama this past July when she represented Vermont at Girls Nation in Washington D.C. Riya plans on studying global economics, political science, and international relations at Harvard next year.
Patrick Kane, Vice President
Patrick Kane is currently a freshman at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He is majoring in International Affairs and loves living in the Capital City. For the first 18 years of his life, Patrick resided in Swanton, VT and is grateful for the wonderful opportunities this small town has provided him with. He loves being an active part of GW's Model UN, Dance Marathon, a brother of Sigma Chi, and working at the Elliott School for International Affairs. This past summer Pat traveled to Bermuda, participated in Green Mountain Boys State, and was selected to participate in the Department of State's Youth Leadership Program with Central Europe, where he was fortunate enough to meet Riya. Pat spends much of his time volunteering at Swanton Elementary school and in his church community.
Annika White, Secretary
Annika White is currently a senior at Missisquoi Valley Union High School. Born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada she moved to Highgate, Vermont when she was just 4 years old and has lived there ever since. As an active member of the Student Government and Model United Nations clubs at her school she has worked very hard to be a leader within her close knit community. Recently she has spent her summers participating in many programs such as the Governor's Institute on Current Issues and Youth Activism, Green Mountain Girls State, and being a proud counselor at Sharon Vermont's Camp Downer. With her love of kids and knack for crossing cultures Annika was one of 4 Vermont high school students chosen to attend the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program when she spent 4 weeks with 40 students from all around Iraq and 20 from different states in the U.S. She is ecstatic to be on the board of directors for FRIEND Inc, and can't wait to get started!
Brandon Philbrick, Treasurer
Brandon Philbrick is a senior at South Burlington High School. Brandon is a native Vermonter, born and raised in South Burlington. Brandon has a hand in many activities like the South Burlington Community Blood Drive, and his school's DECA chapter. He also is a competitive swimmer and has competed at the New England level with his local club team. In his down time, Brandon likes to spend time at his camp, read books, write, and play tennis at his neighborhood park. This past summer, Brandon had the opportunity to host two students from Slovakia and Slovenia as part of the YLPCE program; in addition to his job as a lifeguard. He feels honored to be a part of FRIEND and is filled with jubilant anticipation to begin working with the program's participants.