Programs & Projects
Services
Refugee Youth and Mentoring Program
Our Refugee Youth Program connects volunteers, college students, and refugee youth through weekly workshops on essential topics like computer literacy, civic awareness, mental health, and financial literacy. This program helps young refugees develop character, pursue education, and integrate into the community.
In parallel, our Mentoring Program pairs newly settled refugee families with mentors who guide them in adapting to U.S. culture, learning the language, and navigating their new environment. Together, these programs empower refugees to thrive socially and economically in their new lives.
Education Advocacy Program
In this program, WRC helps as an active liaison between the Rhode Island Department of Education and newly arrived refugee families. This work entails sensitizing school administrators and teachers on the unique background of refugee children. Simultaneously, we empower parents who have recently arrived in the U.S. with the fundamental knowledge required to confidently navigate the American education system. We provide step-by-step guidance on how to enroll in local schools, explain academic expectations and foster strong parent-teacher communication ensuring that refugee youth are given every opportunity to thrive both academically and socially.
Welcoming and Placement Program
At Women’s Refugee Care (WRC), our Welcoming and Placement Program ensures that refugee families in our program, in partnership with Church World Service (CWS), receive the support they need from the moment they arrive in Rhode Island. Rooted in our founders’ lived experiences as refugees, we are committed to creating a sense of belonging and stability for every family we serve.
Upon arrival, families are welcomed with culturally familiar food, essential household items, and clothing. We work closely with the larger community to ensure that someone fluent in their language is available to greet them and answer any immediate questions. Our priority is to address urgent needs and provide a strong foundation for a dignified, stable, and hopeful new beginning while fostering meaningful connections within the broader Rhode Island community.
Women's Empowerment Group
Our Women’s Empowerment Group is a weekly peer-to-peer support group designed specifically for refugee women. It provides a safe and nurturing environment where participants can de-stress, build a sense of community, and learn valuable skills. A key component of this program is our sewing project, which offers women the opportunity to practice their English language skills, create clothing and textiles that are integral to their cultural heritage, and actively contribute to our mission. Through this group, we empower refugee women to reclaim their independence and strengthen their ties to the community.
Give a Smile to Your Neighbor Food Pantry
Our “Give a Smile to Your Neighbor Food Pantry" plays a vital role in addressing food security for Rhode Island’s refugee community. Each week, we serve over 1,000 individuals, ensuring that local families have access to nutritious and culturally familiar food staples. This program is made possible through the generosity and dedication of our partners, and we are deeply grateful for their ongoing support.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, whose invaluable contributions provide a consistent and reliable food supply, significantly strengthening food security in the area. We are also grateful to Trader Joe’s Market for their continued donations and to the Commercial Fisheries of Rhode Island, which allows us to provide fresh fish to the refugees we serve.
Through these partnerships, we are not only distributing food but also fostering dignity, cultural connection, and community resilience. We remain committed to expanding our reach and ensuring that local families in our program receive the nourishment and support they need to thrive.