International Institute of Rhode Island's mission is to enable all area residents, especially immigrants and refugees, to become self-reliant, invested participants in our communities, while fostering respect and understanding among all people. Read more

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June 8, 2010

3 Refugee Families Need Your Help Now

Three refugee families from three different countries- 21 people: infants, toddlers, elderly, a widower with five children, working parents – were all made homeless on Saturday, June 5th when lightning struck their apartment building.  Firefighters were able to put out the fire and fortunately, all the residents in the building were unharmed – but the fragile life these refugees had begun to build in Providence was lost. 

All three families have been resettled with the help of IIRI within the last year.  They come from Burma, Equatorial Guinea, and Eretria.  These people were forced from their home countries by political terror and unrest.  They had begun their new lives – schools for the children, learning English, finding jobs – now there face a second tragedy – a house fire.

These refugee families need your help now.  IIRI staff is busy finding new homes for these families so they can get back school and back to work.  We need to re-furnish apartments with furniture and household goods. 

What can you do?  Please donate:

Furniture and household goods – contact Mary Ellen Lynch or 784-8649  (A list of things they need. [link to list of stuff])

Gift cards (especially Wal-mart, Kmart, Stop & Shop, Price Rite, Job Lot) – send or drop off at IIRI, 645 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI  02907, ATTN:  RR Fire

Financial Contributions -   Checks can be made out to IIRI and mailed or dropped off at the above address.  Or donate online.

Thank you for your continued compassion and support for our Refugee families.