Tessa Nelson

Tessa Nelson is the Program Manager for Early Childhood and Youth Programs with Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning where she works with the refugee and immigrant community in Denver and Aurora, Colorado. She aims to provide a matrix of care for newcomer youth including housing, food, academics, mentorship, and connections to linguistically and culturally competent mental health resources through community-based networking and interventions. This population of youth was recently thrust into the national spotlight and is the target of aggressive deportation strategies which exacerbate already present risk factors for this vulnerable group. In addition to on-the-ground clinical case management, Tessa’s program provides prosocial out-of-school time activities for this community including bike riding, hiking, martial arts, swimming, sports, arts, and more. 

Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning’s mission is to build a thriving intercultural community through learning, language access, and advocacy. Focused on Colorado’s refugee and immigrant community, since 1979 Spring Institute has been a nationally recognized provider of effective intercultural learning programs and services. It is a nonprofit, community-based organization working to build brighter futures for individuals and foster more inclusive organizations. With programs focused on adult education and career pathways, advocacy, cultural navigation, youth services, early childhood education, and interpretation, Spring Institute supports Colorado’s newcomer community from birth until older-adulthood while, at the same time, engaging in stakeholder coalitions and policy advocacy on issues that impact immigrants, refugees, and the welcoming community.