Integrated Skills for Self-Sufficiency

Offers programs that provide vocational training and employment opportunities specifically targeted toward young adults, aiming to enhance workforce readiness and economic self-sufficiency.

Offers employment training programs aimed at supporting community members in gaining job skills and improving employment outcomes.

Offers job training and employment opportunities to residents of Saratoga County who face physical and/or mental disabilities or other barriers to self-sufficiency, supporting their path to workforce integration and economic independence.

Trains teachers and strengthens school support systems to sustain menstrual health education, including training 90 teachers in the Dadaab refugee camps. Also engages boys in age-appropriate education to foster supportive environments for girls.

Distributes Huru Kits—containing reusable sanitary pads, underwear, soap, and educational materials—and delivers comprehensive menstrual health education to girls in schools, refugee camps, and communities across East Africa. The program has reached over 1.6 million girls, boys, young women, and men, with evidence of improved school attendance and reduced period-related absenteeism.

Funds and implements programs that advance the education, employment, welfare, and well-being of girls in Kenya and other global locations through grantmaking and direct program development.

Delivers age-appropriate education on sexual and reproductive health topics—including STI and HIV prevention, gender-based violence, and female genital mutilation (FGM)—as part of broader menstrual health programming in schools and communities across East Africa.

Offers microloans, group lending programs, and savings initiatives to support entrepreneurial young women after completing vocational training, enabling income-generating activities and economic independence.

Provides four-month hands-on training in garment production, personal finance, entrepreneurship, and health to young women in Kenya. Prepares participants for the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) certification exam and offers financial literacy training upon graduation.

Offers education and entrepreneurial support services aimed at empowering individuals in lower-income areas, fostering economic self-sufficiency and community development.

Engages in advocacy by meeting with and writing to elected officials at local, state, and federal levels to influence refugee-related policies. Organizes public advocacy events such as monthly postcard-writing sessions and Zoom discussions to educate communities and correct misconceptions.

Supports student-led initiatives such as the Students For Refugees group at Mamaroneck High School, which engages in tutoring, childcare, fundraising, event planning, and advocacy outreach for refugee families.

Organizes family teams, resource teams, and occasional volunteer teams to provide direct support including apartment setup, transportation, employment searches, ESL tutoring, and social integration. Administrative volunteers support operations such as grant-writing, fundraising, and database management.

Allocates funds through a Medical Support Committee to cover basic healthcare needs for refugee families, including emergency medical bills and access to care.

Assists refugee families in creating emergency preparedness plans, including powers of attorney and guardianship arrangements for minors, to protect against risks of detention or deportation.

Offers financial support for housing, food, medical needs, transportation, and living expenses through targeted initiatives and emergency relief, including a $200,000 Economic Vulnerability Relief Initiative. Assesses needs through an Economic Support Committee and provides aid to families facing job loss or benefit disruptions.

Provides legal support including representation for ICE check-ins, visa applications, immigration status amendments, and habeas petitions. Allocates funds for legal defense, partners with law firms for risk assessments, and maintains a secure database of legal documents. Provided legal aid to multiple families, preventing detentions and supporting case preparation.

Provides comprehensive resettlement services to newly arrived refugee families during their first 12 months in the U.S., including housing setup, rental support, household furnishings, clothing, and orientation to local communities. Supported nearly 100 families (approximately 350 individuals) since 2017, primarily in Westchester County, New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut.