Dorcas international institute of rhode island is an independent, multi-service non-profit organization whose purpose is to assist those who are working to overcome cultural, educational economic, and…

Dorcas international institute of rhode island is an independent, multi-service non-profit organization whose purpose is to assist those who are working to overcome cultural, educational economic, and language barriers to achieve self-sufficiency and actively participate in their community. Dorcas international is seeking support for two americorps vistas for agency-wide capacity building projects expected to span two more years. Our projects will address: 1) economic opportunity by expanding access to housing by working with partners and landlords to increase the amount of safe and affordable housing for newly arriving refugees and; 2) outreach and communications to other community organizations to increase the capacity of partnerships. As of 2018, dorcas international is the only agency in rhode island responsible for resettling refugees in rhode island. In 2017, we resettled over 200 refugees and offered services to over 500 refugees, including evacuees of puerto rico's devastating hurricanes, who have been in rhode island less than five years. A continuation of funding for year two will enable US to increase our capacity in rhode island. With a concentration on: 1) finding and categorizing resources to meet our client needs for housing, healthcare, youth programs, financial literacy programs and employment with a "community development coordinator," and 2) increasing awareness around dorcas international services and programs to expand the number of clients served within our immigration and citizenship services, employment services, translation and interpreting, and our clothing collaborative with a newly created vista position "community outreach marketing coordinator." with two new vista members, we plan to 1) increase the number of partnerships to fill the gaps in services and resources our current clients need and create a database that case managers and staff can refer to serve clients more efficiently and expediently. And 2) increase our client base of 4500, by at least 10% (450) over the next year by increasing marketing outreach efforts for collateral distribution, outreach to businesses, community organizations, schools and other service organizations where potential clients may already exist, and have additional needs we can fill.