
We build the community power of refugee and immigrant women through job training, education, and organizing.
Havenly breaks out of models of integration that prioritize rapid employment and economic self-sufficiency over longer-term education and political consciousness development. Our community café serves as a learning space, source of income and organizing network for refugee women.
What is a refugee?
Which communities do we work with?
Where do we work?
History
That is why, in 2018, the two started a food business and designed a job training program for refugee and immigrant women stuck in cycles of poverty like Nieda. After 2 years of working out of borrowed kitchen space, Havenly opened its own cafe and training center in Downtown New Haven, becoming a home for refugee and immigrant women.
Our Partners
Concepts for Adaptive Learning (CfAL)
Purpose: Digital Literacy
CfAL provides 10.5 hrs of computer literacy instruction at Havenly, with the support of our interpreters. They also provide each of our fellows with a laptop upon completion of the curriculum.
CT Association for Human Services (CAHS)
Purpose: Financial Literacy
We have developed a customized series of workshops for refugee and immigrant women, with slides translated in Arabic and Spanish, to equip our fellows with necessary skills in navigating the US financial system.
VITA
Purpose: Services
The Havenly community cafe is a multilingual VITA tax prep center as of January 2021. Havenly Fellows and alumni receive personalized support in submitting their tax returns and navigating benefit cliffs.
New Haven Adult Education
Purpose: Services
Provides a presentation about available ESL and adult education classes, a guided tour of the facilities, as well as streamlined access and application support to our fellows.
Gateway Great Center
Purpose: Services, Certifications
The GREAT Center hosts a workshop on the professional certificates available at Gateway Community College, gives a presentation about Certified Nursing Assistants, and supports prospective applicants in seeking funding and the right educational track at Gateway. Together, we offer specially tailored certification classes in CPR/First Aid.
Onward Horizons Leadership Development Consulting Services
Purpose: Career Development
We work with Dr. Ivette Ruiz, a certified employment coach with more than 20 years of experience, to host workshops around job readiness and provide 1-1 job coaching.
Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven
Purpose: ESL Practice
Fellows are eligible for 1-1 sessions with a Literacy Volunteer, practicing English and reading.