Our Work

With the help of those who are settled refugees, SAWA has identified areas of need where some families may still need support. Examples of such needs include helping people acquire vocational training, strengthening English literacy, navigating housing/financial opportunities, and helping their children to thrive personally and educationally.

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Our support, which always has a personal, respectful, relationship-building component, includes:

  • COVID Emergency food relief/rent assistance

  • Workforce Development

  • Accessing family and Individual support services

  • Support for adult literacy

  • Educational support and enrichment for children

  • Family visits and friendship opportunities

  • Social and cultural opportunities

  • Financial literacy

  • Empowering and engaging refugees in the community

2020-2021 Highlights 

  • Provided a total of over $40,000 to Greater Hartford refugees in need.   Direct assistance and COVID relief funds were offered to families with the generous help of the New Britain Foundation, the Graustein Foundation, & Hartford Foundation for Public Giving grants. Financial support from our private donors was also given to local refugee families who were suffering financially due to unfortunate circumstances like illness and family tragedy.  Financial awards are allocated according to predetermined standards of need, transparency,  and accountability to our donors.  

  • Created a virtual tutoring program, starting in September of 2020, for 28 refugee children and adults with students from local and remote high schools and colleges. During the fall semesters 2020 and 2021, we collaborated with a Wesleyan University TESOL education class. In the spring of 2020, we collaborated with a Wesleyan University ELL Club and area high school and other college students.

  • Facilitated scholarships or reduced fees for private summer camp experiences for children at Camp Shalom and 2-4-1 Sports Camp.

  • Partnered with Trinity and Capital Community College Liberal Arts Action Lab to complete a Needs Assessment for the Syrian and African refugees and immigrants in Hartford.

  • Established a Leadership Board and an Advocate Board to inform Sawa's vision and understanding of the Greater Hartford refugee community.  

  • Networked with other community stakeholders who also advocate for the refugees in Connecticut including CIRC, IRIS, JFS, state officials and agencies, local lawyers, university professors.

  • Provided direct service to local refugees in need.   Each of the Sawa Executive Board members has ongoing relationships with local refugees and immigrant families to help them in areas including education, employment, and housing.

  • Began the process of connecting and networking with enthusiastic volunteers to support the state efforts to resettle Afghan humanitarian parolees (refugees) arriving in the Greater Hartford area. We strengthened our relationship with IRIS and have helped facilitate and consult with potential co-sponsorship groups in our area. We firmly believe that “it takes a village” and all stakeholders must work together.

  • Created a resource guide of the Greater Hartford area for refugees and their advocates.