Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island

10/31/2026

We’re proud to share that during Hispanic Heritage Month, our Chief Executive Officer, Milagro Sique, was recognized by Latina 100.3 FM for her leadership and contributions to the community!

Milagro was one of five individuals honored for the positive impact they make through their leadership and dedication to others. Thank you to Latina 100.3 FM for this meaningful recognition and for celebrating the leaders who help strengthen and uplift our communities.

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10/29/2026

A huge thank you to the team at The Washington Trust Company for organizing a collection drive in support of Dorcas International! Their employees came together to collect winter gear and clothing to help immigrants and community members stay warm, comfortable, and prepared for the colder months ahead.

These donations will help community members access essential winter items, whether they need a warm coat for the commute to work, boots to navigate snowy sidewalks, or hats and gloves to keep warm on cold days. For individuals and families navigating financial challenges, these essentials can make an invaluable difference.

Thank you again to The Washington Trust Company for showing up for our community and reminding us of the impact we can make when we come together!

10/27/2026

Big shout out to Caylee, a Charette High School student who spent the last month volunteering in an ESL classroom at Dorcas International as part of her senior capstone project!

As the daughter of refugee parents, giving back to her community is something very close to Caylee’s heart. As both a student and an employee at Big Feeling Ice Cream , she’s found a sweet way to support Dorcas International by creating a special fundraising sundae! To celebrate her last day volunteering, Caylee brought her love of ice cream to the classroom and treated students to an ice cream party.

You can support Caylee’s project by stopping by Big Feeling at 769 Westminster Street in Providence before the end of the month to enjoy a special sundae benefiting Dorcas International!

Thank you, Caylee, for your generosity and for making a positive impact in a community that means so much to you!

10/27/2026

Webinar tomorrow! Don’t forget to register!

10/23/2026

A huge thank-you to Cafe Ava and Laura Afonso, aka Buns and Bites, for making last week's Coats & Cocoa drive such a success! Laura brought this wonderful initiative to life, rallying the community to donate warm coats for our refugee and immigrant client community as we head into the colder months.

We’re so grateful to Cafe Ava for hosting the drive and to Laura for using her platform to bring people together for a great cause. Every coat makes a difference this winter, and we couldn’t do it without community partners who care!

10/21/2026

A fresh start begins with a place to call home. As refugee families settle into their new communities in Rhode Island, having the essentials to cook, clean, and care for their homes can make a meaningful difference.

Through our Restart Kits for Refugees initiative, you can help families get settled and make their new house feel a little more like home. Every Restart Kit is a tangible reminder that they are welcome here and that their community is rooting for them.

Contact Emily, Volunteer Services Manager, at [email protected] to learn more or schedule a drop-off for your kit.

10/19/2026

Happy Healthcare Education Week! Thank you to RIPIN for creating this helpful fact sheet explaining upcoming HR1 changes to noncitizen eligibility for Medicaid, HealthSource RI financial assistance, and Medicare.

Join RIPIN and Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island for a webinar exploring eligibility categories, exceptions, implementation dates, examples, and resources available to support consumers and assisters. Representatives from EOHHS will also be in attendance.

Tuesday, October 27 | 12:00-1:30 PM

Registration is required: https://ow.ly/XaJz50ZXbNE

10/15/2026

Register to attend this important webinar!

HR1 changes eligibility for Medicaid, financial help through HealthSource RI, and Medicare for many noncitizens. Join RIPIN and Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island for a webinar exploring eligibility categories, exceptions, implementation dates, examples, and resources available to support consumers and assisters. Representatives from EOHHS will also be in attendance.

October 27 | 12:00-1:30 PM

Registration is required: https://ow.ly/XaJz50ZXbNE

For an overview of these changes, download and share our fact sheet: ripin.org/ripin/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/HR1-Changes_Noncitizen-Eligibility-Fact-Sheet_October-2026.pdf

10/15/2026

Last week, the Rhode Island Foundation celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month and recognized the important work of the Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island. As a member of the Coalition, Dorcas International was grateful to be part of this recognition alongside more than 40 other organizations working together to support and uplift Rhode Island’s immigrant community.

Thank you to the Rhode Island Foundation for your continued support and for recognizing the collective impact of this work!

10/13/2026

For Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re honoring Juanita Sánchez, a Dominican-born social worker, educator, and community advocate whose work helped strengthen Rhode Island’s Latino community.

Through her work in schools, healthcare, and community services, Juanita helped families access resources, navigate new systems, and build connections. She also founded The Rainbow Center at Hope High School, supporting young parents as they continued their education.

Today, her legacy is honored through the Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex in Providence, named in recognition of her lasting contributions to Rhode Island’s Latino community.

We’re proud to remember Juanita Sánchez and the impact of her lifetime of service. To learn more about Juanita, visit: https://nuestrasraicesri.net/JuanitaSanchezSchool.html