Refugee Artisan Initiative

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Refugee Artisan Initiative

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Refugee Artisan Initiative, Nonprofit Organization, 12337 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA.

Refugee Artisan Initiative (RAI) partners with refugee and immigrant women to foster an inclusive, prosperous transition to the US through artisan skill training and micro business development.

06/18/2026

Change can be exciting, challenging, and full of possibility.

This month, we’re featuring Kristina Reed, Board Member at Refugee Artisan Initiative.

Kristina has experienced RAI from nearly every angle—as a volunteer, board member, staff member, and now board member once again. Through each role, she’s witnessed firsthand how the organization has evolved and grown.

In her conversation, Kristina reflects on RAI’s growth, what has changed along the way, and her hopes for the future.

Link in the comments.

06/11/2026

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers from Amazon for spending the day with Refugee Artisan Initiative!

From lending a helping hand to supporting our mission, your time and energy help strengthen the programs and opportunities we provide to refugee and immigrant women in our community.

Volunteer days are about more than completing projects but about building connections, learning from one another, and coming together to create meaningful impact.

Thank you for showing up, rolling up your sleeves, and being part of the RAI community. We are grateful for your support and look forward to welcoming you back again soon!

06/05/2026

Meet Hind Audsley, the new Executive Director of Refugee Artisan Initiative.

Born in Iraq and bringing more than two decades of experience working alongside refugees, immigrants, minorities, and displaced communities across the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa, Hind joins RAI with a deep commitment to economic opportunity, community-centered leadership, and advancing pathways to success for refugee and immigrant communities.

Throughout her career, Hind has focused on creating opportunities for individuals and families to build stability, belonging, and brighter futures. Her professional experience and personal connection to this work align closely with RAI’s mission of empowering refugee and immigrant women through workforce development, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic opportunities.

As Executive Director, Hind will build upon the strong foundation established by RAI’s artisans, staff, supporters, and community partners while helping guide the organization’s continued growth and impact.

Please join us in welcoming Hind to the RAI community.

06/04/2026

Every story is still being written.

This month, we’re featuring Leslie Evangelista, Marketing & Communications Manager at Refugee Artisan Initiative (RAI). Through storytelling and community engagement, Leslie helps share the women, experiences, and impact that bring RAI’s mission to life. Drawn to stories of resilience, growth, and possibility, she was inspired by the women at the heart of RAI and the opportunities being created through creativity, skill-building, and community.

In her conversation, Leslie reflects on the power of storytelling, what makes RAI’s community unique, and why creating opportunities for new chapters to unfold matters so deeply to her.

Read the full conversation at the link in comments.

05/29/2026

Connection, creativity, and impact 🐾♻️

In May, we had the opportunity to lead a team building session with the Gates Foundation, where participants learned how to make dog toys from upcycled materials while learning more about RAI’s mission.

These hands-on experiences bring people together in a meaningful way while supporting sustainability and creating opportunities for refugee and immigrant women. From teamwork and creativity to conversations about upcycling and community impact, it was a wonderful afternoon of learning and connection.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped turn discarded materials into something new.

Interested in bringing a team building experience to your workplace?

Learn more at refugeesarts.org

05/21/2026

At Refugee Artisan Initiative (RAI), growth is built not only through big milestones, but through the people who help strengthen the foundation behind the work.

This month, we’re featuring Hayden, a longtime RAI Board member whose leadership and support helped guide the organization through years of growth and transition. From helping formalize organizational structure and governance to supporting long-term sustainability, her work has helped create the framework that continues to support our artisans, staff, and mission today.

In her conversation, Hayden reflects on the importance of welcoming refugee and immigrant communities, why Lake City and RAI are such a meaningful fit, and what it means to help build something designed to last.

Read more about this conversation (Link in comments).

05/12/2026

Celebrating the next chapter.

Palwasha, one of the artisans at Refugee Artisan Initiative (RAI), has secured a new job opportunity as a sewer—an exciting step forward in her journey.

Moments like this reflect the dedication of the women we work alongside every day, and the power of having the right support and community behind you.

We’re proud to celebrate Palwasha and all that’s ahead.

05/05/2026

Today is GiveBIG 💛

This is your chance to support Refugee Artisan Initiative (RAI) and help create real opportunities for refugee and immigrant women through skills training, employment, and meaningful work.

Every gift—big or small—directly supports paid training and pathways to economic independence.

If you’ve been thinking about giving, today is the day.

🔗 Link in comments.

Thank you for standing with artisans and our community.

04/28/2026

Early giving for GiveBIG starts today, April 28.

You can support Refugee Artisan Initiative (RAI) now and help us build momentum leading up to May 5. Every contribution helps create opportunities for refugee and immigrant women through skills training, employment, and sustainable production.

Give early, make an impact, and be part of what we’re building.

Link in comments. 💙

04/23/2026

At Refugee Artisan Initiative (RAI), every team member helps shape a workplace built on connection, growth, and shared purpose.

This month, we’re featuring one of our RAI team members, who has chosen to remain anonymous for privacy reasons.

In her role, she works closely with artisans from around the world—each bringing unique cultures, languages, and lived experiences into the space. Over time, she has seen RAI become more than just a workplace, describing it as a second family where support, learning, and mutual respect are part of the everyday environment.

She shares how meaningful it is to be part of a community where women are not only developing skills and growing professionally, but also rebuilding their lives with dignity and opportunity. For her, the relationships formed within RAI are just as impactful as the work itself.

Her reflection highlights what continues to define RAI: a space where people come together across backgrounds, support one another, and build something larger than themselves.

Read the full conversation. Link in comments.

Address

12337 Lake City Way NE
Seattle, WA
98125

Telephone

+12063211502

Website

https://refugeesarts.org/

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