Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment (RISE)

Igniting Minds, Building Futures: Explore our Education Initiatives!

After-School Program:

Empowering students 3rd-12th grade and early college participants to better succeed in their academic and personal lives through math, reading, and soft skill building, while providing a safe learning environment that is inclusive. The After School Program provides refugee and immigrant students with a safe environment for targeted homework help, engaging educational activities, and community building. Emphasizing 1-on-1 assistance, the program reinforces math and literacy skills while incorporating activities to boost self-confidence and reignite a passion for learning. Transportation is provided.
  • Mondays and Wednesdays 5pm-6:30pm at the Destiny Christian Center
  • Information on our summer program will be available soon.

Women’s Empowerment Program

Nourish your body and community this spring. Join our Nutrition Program for lessons on local food resources, budget-friendly meal planning, and a delightful cooking demonstration. Let’s build a healthy, vibrant community together. This spring we are organizing a nutrition class in collaboration with the Cornell Cooperative Extension and Salt City Market, for women empowerment once a week. With that we are also initiating a girl’s empowerment story writing class at Destiny Christian Center with collaboration of Gage Foundation. We at RISE Education Initiative believe in cultivating, instilling the spirit of self-exploration and personal growth at all ages.

Details:

  • Dates: March 11, March 25, April 8 and April 22.
  • Time: Mondays, 11:30am to 1pm.
  • Location: Salt City Market 484 S Salina St, Syracuse, NY 13202.
  • Transport: Transport will be provided.

Girls On The Run

Fueling mind, body, and spirit, our Girls on the Run program is more than a run—it’s a journey. Empower your girl with life skills, leadership goals, and a supportive community. Celebrate her achievements in a non-competitive 5k, showcasing her growth and connections. This spring, Women’s Empowerment will be hosting a Girls on the Run program for girls from 5th through 8th grade. The program focuses not only on physical exercise but on the girl. Lessons will teach life skills such as boundary setting, decision-making, and team building. The program is girl-centered, allowing the girls to take on leadership goals and build community among one another. The program culminates in an end-of-season, non-competitive 5k where the girls will have the opportunity to show off their skills to their community and spend time socializing with their teammates.

Contact for info and registration: sofia@refugeeandimmigrant.org or call 315-234-2348.

Childcare Business Training for Women from Afghanistan

RISE’s commitment extends to childcare initiatives, including the ORR Childcare Program. In collaboration with partners like Childcare Solutions and the Onondaga Small Business Development Center, this program supports Afghan community members in establishing childcare businesses. Comprehensive assistance covers expenses for training, testing, licensing, and inspections, empowering participants with the skills and knowledge needed for successful childcare entrepreneurship.

Diversity in Early Education and Care (DEEC) Program

The Diversity in Early Education and Care (DEEC) program spans 16 weeks, aiding immigrants, refugees, and bilingual individuals seeking employment or entrepreneurship in childcare. Tailored classes, including interpretation services in Dari and Pashto, accommodate Afghan participants. The program even provides a nursery corner, allowing participants with children to attend.

Details:

  • Classes: Friday to Thursday 9am to 12pm.
  • Special Afghan Class: Mondays, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm (Interpreter services in Dari and Pashto)
  • Location: 302 Burt Street, Syracuse
  • Email: katy@refugeeandimmigrant.org
  • Call or Text: (315) 480-0683

English Classes for Adults

Offering open enrollment for free English language classes for refugees and immigrants through RISE (Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment). We offer FREE English as a New Language (ENL) classes for refugees and immigrants with Ukrainian, Dari and Arabic interpreters if required. We offer different levels of English proficiency classes through zoom and in person. See our flyer or reach out for the current full schedule of classes.
Locations where in person ENL classes are held include:
  • Syracuse Northeast Community Center – 716 Hawley Ave, Syracuse
  • White Branch Library – 763 Butternut St. Syracuse
  • First Ukrainian Pentecostal Church – 3875 Warners Rd, Syracuse, NY 13209

Please feel free to share with anyone who may benefit from our programs.

Ethnic Community Self Help for Ukrainians(ECSH)

Active enrollment is in progress for Ukrainian registration to direct them towards English learning classes, exploring skill development, employment opportunities and community building with mutual collaboration of RISE and FUPC. See our brochure for more information.

Program mission:

Empowering Minds, Building Futures: The mission of the Education Department is to create dynamic and inclusive learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of our community.

Inquiries

ENL program

Interested in volunteering as an English teacher? Fill out our Volunteer ENL Teacher.