Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island

06/19/2026

We're still collecting school supplies for our youth refugee and unaccompanied child clients as they prepare for the new school year! If you'd like to donate, please reach out to [email protected] to coordinate drop-off.

Thank you to our incredible community for the generosity and support. We couldn't do this without you ❤️

While the current school year hasn’t quite wrapped up, we’re already looking ahead. We’re starting early, and collecting donations now through the summer, to make sure our hundreds of unaccompanied youth and refugee youth clients have everything they need when we host our annual Back-to-School event in August.

From backpacks to notebooks to lunch boxes, every donation helps a student walk into the new school year feeling prepared and confident.

Looking for a meaningful way to get involved? Hosting a school supplies collection drive is a great way to engage your workplace, school group, club, or community in supporting our work and making a tangible impact.

To donate, please schedule a drop-off appointment by emailing [email protected] or by calling or texting (401) 602-1273.

Thank you for helping us show up for students before the first day even begins!

06/18/2026

Last week, Dorcas International was proud to host a community health fair for our Adult Education students, helping connect immigrant and refugee community members with important health screenings, wellness resources, and pathways to care.

We're incredibly grateful to Mark Rosenberg and other students of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University for their leadership and dedication in organizing this event. Special thanks as well to the volunteers from Bryant University Physician Assistant Program and partners at Rhode Island Free Clinic for providing screenings, health education, and opportunities for participants to connect with ongoing care.

With more than 120 students visiting the fair, this event offered many of our clients a chance to engage with healthcare resources in a welcoming and accessible environment. Thank you to everyone who made this meaningful partnership possible. Together, we're helping build healthier, stronger communities.

06/18/2026

Register today for our summer English as Second Language (ESL) classes!

06/18/2026

Tomorrow, June 19, we honor Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom and a powerful reminder of the ongoing pursuit of equity and justice.

At Dorcas International, this day reflects the values at the heart of our mission: welcoming newcomers, advancing opportunity, and helping build communities where all people can thrive with dignity, belonging, and hope.

Our offices will be closed on June 19 in observance of the holiday.

06/18/2026

06/17/2026

Last week, Dorcas International joined fellow refugee and immigrant service providers from across the country at the annual U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) conference in Arlington, Virginia.

Bringing together some of the nation’s oldest refugee and immigrant-serving agencies, the conference provided an opportunity to reflect on the evolving refugee resettlement and immigration landscape and the work ahead. We heard from inspiring leaders across the field, including Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, government representatives, partner organizations, and practitioners working directly with refugee and immigrant communities.

As part of a network of more than 40 organizations, we are honored to stand alongside agencies committed to protecting, supporting, and welcoming newcomers.

Thank you to USCRI for convening and hosting this important gathering.

06/17/2026

Across Rhode Island, refugees, asylees, and other immigrant families contribute critical skills, cultures, perspectives, and leadership to our communities while strengthening schools, businesses, healthcare systems, and local industries.

Immigrant Heritage Month is a celebration of those contributions and the communities made stronger because of them.

06/16/2026

Resilience. Community. Opportunity.

Despite unprecedented challenges, our mission remains unchanged: creating pathways to self-sufficiency and building an inclusive community where all can thrive.

Thank you to everyone who supports Dorcas International and the thousands of Rhode Islanders we serve each year. Together, we continue to build a stronger, more welcoming state.

We asked Dorcas International Institute Chief Executive Officer Milagro Sique to tell us more about the organization. See link below ⬇️

📸 Provided by Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island

06/16/2026

A huge thank you to Pastor David, Cara, and the incredible volunteers from Four Corners Community Chapel!

When we needed help preparing an apartment for an incoming refugee family on short notice, Four Corners Community Chapel stepped up without hesitation. Despite the heat, the team spent an entire evening cleaning, building furniture, and making the apartment feel like home.

We are grateful for Four Corners Community Chapel's longstanding partnership and unwavering commitment to welcoming our newest neighbors. Thank you for making a difference when it matters most!

06/15/2026

Marie came to the United States from Haiti seeking safety and stability while working to reunite with her children. While studying English and training to become a CNA, she continues building a future grounded in hope.

Immigrant Heritage Month is about recognizing the strength behind journeys like hers.