Giving Tuesday 2019 - Support Elena's Light!

Donate to Elena's Light this #GivingTuesday to support a variety of programs benefitting local refugees!

Words from Elena's Light women:

• "Elena's Light helped me feel comfortable to take my driver's permit test. I am so happy and thankful for Elena's Light." - Asia, ESL participant
• "With my driver's license, I am able to work now and be independent. Also, my son has a disability and having a driver's license has allowed me to take him to the doctor." - Zahra, ESL participant

As a part of our mission to provide equitable educational opportunities for refugee women and children, Elena's Light seeks to:

• Provide culturally competent & accessible “working” and “practical” ESL classes in the home setting, with customizable curricula based on client needs.

• Provide high-quality health education services to establish healthy lifestyle behaviors and bridge the gaps to care access.

• Educate immigrant and refugee families on the American Healthcare System & provide maternal & pediatric health education services to allow clients to maximize their quality of life.

• Empower refugees & immigrants to embrace their independence & autonomy within the community by preparing clients to take the CT DMV driver’s license examination.

• Promote cultural competency through the development of cross-cultural friendships.

• Build safe spaces that encourage cultural exchange & friendship building for refugee and immigrant youths. 

• Provide all of our programs and services to refugee and immigrant families free of charge.

Elena's Light's Recent Involvement within the Community:

Elena's Light has been working hard to make an impact by creating new programs designed to create a safe, intercultural social environment for refugees to reintegrate within their new homes.

For example, Elena's Light recently hosted "Refugee's First Thanksgiving", a community event at Southern Connecticut State University that featured a Thanksgiving feast with a multicultural twist, with food and drinks, cross-cultural crafts, and games and activites for the whole family!

As we continue to grow within the community, we ask that you consider donating to support our cause. Our mission of helping refugee women develop the skills they need and obtain the resources they require depends on the donations and support of our local community. Every cent makes a difference!

Elena's Light's Origins

After being resettled in the United States, Fereshteh realized that people in her community - especially women - still didn’t have access to practical and tailored education for their needs. Those who had recently been resettled benefit from the outstanding support from their refugee resettlement agency.  Still, because of cultural, familial, and logistical barriers, many cannot attend the classes offered to them.

Elena's Light was born to serve these unmet needs.  Designed with accessibility in mind, Fereshteh set out to design a program to finally address the challenges faced by refugee and immigrant families in the United States.  Drawing on her own experience and the experiences of those around her, she created a solution with a three-pronged approach: the provision of free, in-home customizable ESL tutoring sessions with a focus on driver's education, the provision of in-home maternal and pediatric health education services, and the creation of safe spaces for cultural exchange and immersion.  Thus, our organization was born.

At Elena's Light, we envision a community that respects & celebrates diversity, and provides equity of opportunity to all members. Your donation supports and further promotes this mission within the community. THANK YOU for your support!