Elena's Light

Mission

Building brighter futures for refugee women and children.

Needs Statement

Now more than ever, building social and economic self-reliance and a strong foundation of health literacy is essential to survive and thrive in our society. Our clients face extremely uncertain times ahead, and our programming can help them and their families prepare to face unknown challenges head-on. Even in “normal” times, refugee women face significant barriers to economic independence and physical and mental wellness. As refugees tend to be of lower socioeconomic status, inability to get time off from work paired with lack of transportation options to attend health-promoting activities create obstacles to wellness. These types of problems are pronounced for women, who lack opportunities for advancement due to lack of transportation, low English literacy, and bearing the burden of childcare responsibilities. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that in 2016, 30% of all “civilian jobs” required driving a passenger vehicle of some kind, including jobs often held by women such as home health aide and nursing jobs, personal care work, office support jobs, and sales. That is why our ESL program was piloted with driver education in mind, so that women who graduated from our curriculum gained both practical English knowledge for everyday life, in addition to becoming prepared to take the drivers’ licensure exam and open doors to physical and economic mobility. In the post-COVID-19 future, where the job market may be in dire condition, having these baseline skills will be of great benefit to women and their families. Similarly, health literacy is integral to wellness, perhaps even more so in the time of a pandemic where misinformation is everywhere. Our EL Health with Y-HEALAR program includes components aimed at teaching students how to navigate the healthcare system and obtain the medical assistance they need for themselves and their children. We are also building health literacy among children in our program, to ensure healthy habits and greater health outcomes for the next generation. Refugee children do not have equitable access to mental and behavioral health care, especially because they face barriers related to language, acculturation, and financial security. They also are less likely than their non-refugee peers to receive timely diagnoses and treatment for mental and/or behavioral health problems, despite facing multiple risk factors, as many have faced trauma during pre-migration, migration, and post-migration experiences. In the era of COVID-19, barriers to timely diagnosis and care as well as mental health risks have increased, especially for refugee populations. Risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic that may exacerbate mental health concerns already faced by refugees include food insecurity, inability to social distance, and educational disruptions. Improving access to preventive mental health initiatives is one approach to reduce disparities in access to mental and behavioral health care for refugee children and their families. Our EL Health with Y-HEALAR and Child Wellness classes are driven by the intention of accomplishing this.

Impact Statement

In the past year, we have expanded our outreach efforts across the community. We launched a successful speaker series called “Lighting the Future,” and have thus far showcased three speakers whose work impacts the refugee and immigrant community. This includes Asma Rahimyar, the first Rhodes Scholar and the first Truman Scholar from Southern Connecticut State University and the daughter of Afghan immigrants. We had viewers form all over the world, and increased engagement on our social media. We were also able to hire two of our clients as mask making fellows.They were able to sew 750 masks, which we shared with refugees and immigrants in need within the Greater New Haven community. One of our fellows is a mother of five children, and has been in the United States for 20 years. Our mask making program provided her with her first job, and the excitement she expressed in response was palpable. We also received the great honor of being accepted as one of sixteen national Hello Neighbor fellows. This fellowship network, which was founded in order to connect non-profits which serve refugees and immigrants across the country, gives us access to likeminded non-profits. From this, we have learned how to refine our curricula, fundraise more effectively for our programs, and, ultimately, how to serve our clients as effectively as possible.

CEO statement

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Board Chair Statement

Dear Friends and Supporters, Welcome to our 2024 Annual Report, where we take a moment to reflect on a wonderful year filled with progress and milestones across our programs. In collaboration with resettlement agencies, community groups, universities, government officials, and like-minded nonprofit organizations, we work to create a holistic range of services that extend beyond the immediate needs of resettlement, enhancing access to a higher quality of life for our clients. Our English tutoring program (ESL) continues to be a beacon of learning and connection, helping hundreds develop the language skills that are key to thriving in a new country. Our Driver’s Education and Health Programs have expanded as well, helping clients build independence and gain vital knowledge in areas crucial to their well-being. The “Lighting the Future” speaker series, alongside other community engagement activities, has sparked meaningful dialogues and collaborations, inspiring hope and action across our network. We are also proud of a successful first year of our PCORI-funded research engagement program, “Building Capacity for PCOR in Refugee Communities”, and we look forward to a productive second year. Meanwhile, our Legal Advocacy initiative has provided essential support to families navigating complex legal landscapes. We owe our achievements to the dedication of our incredible staff, volunteers, interns, Board of Directors, Advisory Panel, project partners, community supporters, granting agencies, donors, and, most of all, our clients. Your contributions define and deliver our mission, and we are deeply grateful for your ongoing support. Thank you for being part of the Elena’s Light family. We look forward to continuing this journey together, broadening our impact as we work toward a brighter future. In solidarity, Fereshteh Ganjavi, Founder and Executive Director, and Jaden Harris, Board Chair

Areas Served Narrative

We serve lower-income clients in New Haven, Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, Milford, Orange, East Haven, West Haven, North Haven, Cheshire, Seymour.

CEO statement (optional)