We build the community power of refugee and immigrant women through job training, education, and organizing. 

Refugees continue to be marginalized and denied access to basic rights. As an organization, we seek to create the conditions for refugee women to set the priorities and strategies of their own movement for change.

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?

We use the word “refugee” as defined in its simplest sense: a person who leaves their country of origin in search of refuge in a different one. Our fellows have official refugee status, are asylum seekers, or come here undocumented or on other visas.

Which communities do we work with?

Our program is open to women from all over the world! However, we primarily work with women from Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region and women from Mexico and Central America.

Where do we work?

We are proud to call New Haven home, because it’s a place where the community fights for itself and for each other. This includes the 1 in 6 residents who were born outside of the US, and the more than 5,000 refugees resettled by IRIS in the past years.

History

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.

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. 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.

In the News

Beyond Pizza and Yale: What To See, Eat, and Do in New Haven

New York Times

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At CT’s Havenly Café, refugee and immigrant women find opportunity & companionship

CT Insider

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Bank Of America Awards Havenly $200K 'Neighborhood Builders' Grant

Patch

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‘Havenly': Refugee Women Find Sisterhood, Support in New Haven

NBC Connecticut

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Havenly Honors Refugee Employers

New Haven Independent

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University’s Campus Dining, Havenly Treats Create Employment Equity Program

University of New Haven

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Yale students, refugees join with delicious results

New Haven Register

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Refugees Reopen Shuttered Bakery

New Haven Independent

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“A Labor of Love” Transforms Havenly Treats

Yale Daily News

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Our Partners

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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. 

6

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. 

7

Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven

Purpose: ESL Practice

Fellows are eligible for 1-1 sessions with a Literacy Volunteer, practicing English and reading.

Our Supporters

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