How Human-Centred Design Can Create More Inclusive Tech Workplaces for Newcomers

Tuesday March 12, 2024

Guest Blog by Lila Berryman, senior innovation specialist, Venture 2 Impact, and Nouhaila Chelkhaoui, founder and CEO, Scale Without Borders At Venture 2 Impact, with support from the WES Mariam Assefa Fund, we set out to develop a project that would support Canadian …

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Fund Launches Initiative to Elevate Migrant Leadership and Build Inclusive Futures

Tuesday January 23, 2024

New funding opportunity seeks to support organizations elevating the voices and influence of immigrants and refugees in United States communities The World Education Services (WES) Mariam Assefa Fund today announced a new grantmaking initiative. Elevating Migrant Leadership: Building Inclusive Futures will support U.S. …

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Reflecting on 2023 and What We’re Looking Forward to in 2024

Tuesday January 16, 2024

Our partners, the many organizations led by immigrants, refugees, and community members with lived experience, never fail to inspire us at the WES Mariam Assefa Fund as we work at the nexus of so much energy and dedication to building inclusive communities and …

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Creating a Philanthropic Legacy: WES Fund Ambassadors Unveil Program’s Latest Donations

Thursday December 21, 2023

Since 2020, the Fund Ambassadors Program has played a pivotal role in educating WES staff about philanthropy while supporting mission-aligned immigrant and refugee grassroots organizations in the United States and Canada. As we celebrate the program’s fourth year, the Ambassadors are proud to …

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Deepening Community Across WES’ Mission Investing Partners to Advance Collective Impact and Action

Friday December 15, 2023

By Matthias Pries, Impact Investing Manager    “Sometimes you have to be together in a physical space with folks to forge trust and build genuine relationships and connection.” Betty Francisco, CEO of Boston Impact Initiative This idea captures the inspiration for World Education …

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Reflections on Convening Our Partners Supporting Rural Immigrants’ Success

Friday November 3, 2023

Reflections by the WES Mariam Assefa Fund’s Lauren Crain, director of U.S. grantmaking and strategy, and Shevani Khatri, U.S. program associate  For immigrants and refugees to experience communities as welcoming, inclusive access to economic opportunity is critical. However, in rural communities, there are …

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Meet Isempower, a Success Platform for International Students in Canada

Tuesday October 17, 2023

As a former international student from Thailand, Pat Chaisang’s wish is to support other international students as they begin to pursue fulfilling careers in Canada. This desire ultimately led her to found Isempower – an all-in-one technology platform that helps international students bridge …

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How University Campuses in Rhode Island are Advancing Refugee Inclusion

Friday October 13, 2023

Refugees arrive in the United States with tremendous skills, but too often face a tangle of barriers that make it hard for them to get good jobs and other critical supports. And too often, traditional resettlement approaches inadvertently create additional challenges. For example, …

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Fund Partners with United Way Greater Toronto to Support African Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Wednesday September 20, 2023

In Toronto, the escalating housing crisis and gaps in federal funding have led to the city’s shelters reaching and even exceeding capacity. As a result, many recent refugees and asylum seekers have had to sleep on the city streets. While the allocation of …

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How Oakland Bloom Empowers Immigrant and Refugee Chefs

Wednesday September 6, 2023

“Food is a powerful connector across communities, to lands, as well as to one’s own health, expression, home, lineages, and identity. But the food industry is also built on systemic extraction, appropriation, and exploitation, particularly impacting poor and working-class people of color and …

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Thank you for your interest in the WES Mariam Assefa Fund. We’ll share updates on the Fund’s efforts, what we’re learning, and opportunities through our email list.