DORCAS INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RHODE ISLAND INC
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Mission Statement
Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island welcomes all those who are working to overcome cultural, educational, economic and language barriers; and we empower them to achieve self-sufficiency and to participate actively in our community. They provide client-centered services, advocacy and opportunities based on their expertise in family literacy and adult education, employment services, refugee resettlement, translation, interpretation, U.S. citizenship and immigration services. The organization is committed to building on the diversity and strength of the people they serve as an investment in a stronger and more connected community.
About This Cause
Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island (DIIRI) is an independent, non-profit agency with a guiding mission to empower individuals and families, especially the underserved, immigrants, and refugees, to become self-sufficient and fully participating members of our diverse community through innovative programs and advocacy that promote education, training, and cultural understanding. Established in 2013, DIIRI merged two leading, well-established Rhode Island agencies: Dorcas Place, an adult literacy and learning center, incorporated in 1981, and the International Institute Rhode Island, an immigrant and refugee service provider, incorporated in 1921. With over 95 years of experience, DIIRI provides an impressive selection of education and employment services for low-income adults and families. Services benefit Rhode Island’s economic growth by positively affecting the development of a more literate and productive workforce. Our two campuses in Providence’s historic Southside are in the heart of low-income neighborhoods and easily reached by public transportation. DIIRI is a vital part of the community and is recognized as the place where immigrants, refugees, non-native English speakers, newcomers, and low-income families receive the help they need as they journey towards attaining their American Dream. In Fiscal year 2016, DIIRI served over 4,600 clients in our various programs. As an outcome-driven organization, we measure our success by our clients’ achievements: Motivated English as Second Language (ESL) learners and adults looking for another chance to improve their education find opportunities to improve their language, math, computer, and work skills enabling them to obtain their GED, find or improve their job, and prepare for U.S. citizenship through our Education Program. Vulnerable, resilient refugee arrivals receive intensive case management, basic human needs assistance, health education, life skills training, and job readiness and placement services allowing them to become self-sufficient in as little as one year after arriving in their new country through our Refugee Resettlement Program. Determined immigrants navigate the path to citizenship, stay in legal status, and reunify with family members in the U.S. with help from our Citizenship & Immigration attorney and accredited Representatives. Vulnerable, resilient immigrant victims of crime apply for immigration relief to escape violence, stabilize their lives, and begin on a path to legal permanent residence and citizenship with help from our Victims’ Rights Attorney, who also provides community referrals, legal education and outreach to local Rhode Island organizations providing services and support to victims of crime. Dislocated working adults work with our Employment Services to develop new skills receive job readiness training, career counseling, and job placement services linked with employers and/or high demand sectors in Rhode Island such as Medical Interpreting and Entrepreneurship. Dedicated, caring Rhode Island families receive school-based parent-child literacy, access to after-school programs, and adult and parenting education through our Family Literacy Program. Hard working and eager-to-work adult clients and students receive assistance with interview and work-appropriate clothing through our Clothing Collaborative. Diverse clients, community members, businesses, attorneys, schools, and healthcare organizations benefit from our high quality, timely, and affordable interpreting and translating services, from our social enterprise, Pinpoint Translation Services. DIIRI, as the state’s largest and longest-running immigrant and refugee service provider, continuously builds on a strong foundation of years of effective practice, research, and development of programs that meet direct client needs and empower the most vulnerable members of our community; newcomers, immigrants, refugees, non-native English speakers, and low-income Rhode Islanders, to positively contribute to society. DIIRI is unique for its openness to all populations, with programs designed to meet the varied needs of clients from over 110 different countries. DIIRI is the only local agency providing a holistic approach to meeting the education, resettlement, skill development, legal immigration, and interpreting needs of newcomers. DIIRI is also the only agency in Rhode Island offering free legal immigration workshops to the community and free immigration consultations to anyone who walks through our doors. With a budget of $6.5 million, DIIRI employs 86 full-time and part-time culturally and linguistically competent staff members, many with advanced degrees and certifications in their field of specialty. They come from more than 24 different countries and speak more than 26 different languages. DIIRI receives invaluable support from 200 diverse volunteers, 175 public and private partner organizations, and a 30-member volunteer Board of Directors.