LNRV & Blacksburg Refugee Partnership: A Special Relationship

Since 2016, Literacy NRV (LNRV) and the Blacksburg Refugee Partnership (BRP) have worked hand in hand to support refugees and displaced individuals as they build new lives in our community. 

Blacksburg Refugee Partnership is a volunteer-led organization grounded in the simple but powerful belief that every person deserves a safe, peaceful, and happy home. BRP connects families to essential resources and provides the ongoing support needed to help them plant roots and thrive in the United States.

LNRV shares this vision. Together, our organizations are united by a common goal: to equip individuals with the tools they need for independent, fulfilling lives. Through English language instruction and literacy support, LNRV helps open doors—to employment, education, civic participation, and everyday connection.

From the very beginning, LNRV has worked closely with BRP families. Volunteer tutors provide one-on-one instruction and small group classes tailored to real-life needs—whether it’s learning English for daily communication, preparing for a driver’s license test, or studying for U.S. citizenship. Some learners arrive with little or no formal education in their first language; a few have never held a pencil before. While the challenges can be significant, the determination of students and the dedication of volunteers continue to lead to remarkable progress and inspiring success stories.  

Since 2022, LNRV has offered classes dedicated to BRP students. This class has become much more than a place to learn English—it is a warm, welcoming space where students feel safe to take risks, build confidence, and grow. There is laughter, occasional tears, and always encouragement.  Every success is celebrated -and there are many! To a one, the tutors cherish the special bonds that are created.  

A Story of Resilience

F’s story is one of many that reflects the strength and perseverance of our students.

A single mother of two daughters, F arrived in Blacksburg in 2017 after a life marked by extreme hardship and threats to her safety in her native country. Having no literacy in her native language of Dari, she faced a daunting challenge in building a new life here with her family.  With determination and courage, F eagerly embraced English language learning opportunities. Through LNRV, she worked with individual tutors and attended classes regularly. Her big smile and loving nature quickly endeared her to volunteers across both organizations.

Step by step, F built a new life. She found work at Virginia Tech and eventually secured a full-time position. She learned to drive and passed her driver’s license exam. Her daughters became engaged in school life, forming strong friendships and adapting to their new home.  When she was eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship, a team of dedicated BRP and LNRV volunteer tutors rallied around her, helping her prepare for the exam. When she did not pass on her first attempt, she was heartbroken—and so were those who had supported her. But her resilience was undeniable. The very next morning, an LNRV staff member visited her and found F sitting on the floor, surrounded by study materials, already beginning again. It was an unforgettable moment (and yes, she passed on the next try!).

Stories like F’s are not uncommon among BRP learners. They remind us why this partnership matters.

Together, LNRV and BRP are not just teaching language—we are building community, fostering belonging, and supporting journeys filled with courage, growth, and hope.