Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE)

Program Overview

RISSE is an independent not-for-profit. Our mission is to help refugees and newly arrived immigrants create safe and sustainable lives. RISSE is the only organization in the Capital Region that provides comprehensive, year-round English Language and supportive services to the refugee and immigrant community. RISSE operates After-School and Summer Youth Programs, Adult English Literacy/Language Program, civics classes, life skills orientation, Job Search Assistance, and more. We work one-on-one with about 200 families a year utilizing one or more of our services.

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

High school student volunteer in Youth Program: Ultimately, I volunteered at RISSE during the RISSE summer camp for refugee students. In the first year I had tried to create a book club with Ms. Shafqat's third grade class, however upon realizing they were very disinterested, I decided to write my own short book about my culture, Bangladesh. I remember the kids howling with laughter as they tried to pronounce Bengali words, pointed out the traditional clothing as being similar to their respective cultures, and pretending as if they were eating the tandoori chicken and bryiani on the screen! I got to know the teachers, such as Ms. Naila and her daughter Nimra. Ms. Nailah had to leave Pakistan due to the harsh treatment against Christians. I remember her telling me that after working at RISSE with Muslim teachers she was convinced there is a reality where violence is not the outcome when you put people of different faiths in the same room - rather peace and friendship. Ms. Nasreen is also a remarkable woman. She is the amazing cook whose hands prepare food as a mother for all the children at RISSE! Just recently this past summer, I worked at RISSE with an art project. All the kids created their own paintings and hung them up. I feel honored to have worked with such an amazingly strong group of women and children.