Refugees (Home Page) About Us Programs Volunteer Guide Directory of Refugee Service Agencies Current Needs Calendar: Spring/Summer 2002 (full text) Employment Opportunities News/Announcements Texas Refugee & Immigrant Women's Assoc. Links Our Sponsors Dallas UNA Home PageTRIWA is a grassroots organization comprised of women from all around the world: Somalia, Sudan, Iran, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bosnia, Korea, Thailand, Laos, the United States, among others -- who are dedicated to providing leadership, advocacy, and education to refugee and immigrant women and communities in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. TRIWA is a United Way Affiliate Agency.
TRIWA's mission is to empower refugee and immigrant women, their families, and communities by promoting and providing opportunities for leadership, advocacy, and education.
The Texas Refugee and Immigrant Women's Association, formerly known as Refugee Women's Network (RWN) DFW Chapter, was created in 1997. Under the leadership of the National RWN in Atlanta, refugee women representatives from diverse backgrounds were trained to become leaders in their local communities.
Since 1997, members of TRIWA have created programs such as childcare training and an investment club. In addition, TRIWA provides advocacy for political asylees, and offers leadership and skills development.TRIWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
The TRIWA Technology Center provides computer classes at the Resource Connection in Fort Worth, for refugees and immigrants of all ages, at no cost or at reduced fees:
* Microsoft Word
* Microsoft Access
* Microsoft Excel
* Microsoft PowerPoint
Classes are held Tuesday and Thursday, two sessions offered each day (4:30-6:30 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m.) Each course continues eight weeks, with additional two weeks of lab work optional. Cost for series: $25. To register call: 817-461-7741.
The Technology Center's six computers and one printer were funded by a "Teaming for Technology" grant by United Way, IBM, and the Corporation for National Service.
TRIWA, in collaboration with other agencies, has created a program for women to become licensed child care providers. There is a series of training sessions to prepare women to be licensed and equipped to provide child care in their homes:
* Orientation
* CPR and First Aid
* Small Business Basics
* Preparing for Home Inspection
* Application Workshop
This program is funded by the Office of Immigration & Refugee Affairs (OIRA) to establish and expand provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate social/ supportive services to older refugees, enabling them to live independently as long as possible. Services include:
* Linkages & coordination with local Area Agencies on Aging and other mainstream community service providers
* Interpretation, translation of materials, transportation coordination
* Outreach to homebound elderly refugees
* Case Management to ensure access to all services for elderly refugees
Eligibility: Services under this grant are limited to persons who meet the federal definition of a "refugee": those admitted to the United States under Section 207 & 208 (all subsections) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, persons paroled or granted asylum under Section 212(d)5 of the INA, conditional entrants under Section 203(a)7 of the INA, Cubans and Haitians who meet federal eligibility criteria, and Amerasians from Vietnam. There is no residency time limit for refugees.
Fees: All services offered through this program are free of charge.
TRIWA received an Award of Community Grant from Tarrant County United Way, for creating newsletters. The newsletter informs of services available, education and information sharing on local issues that may affect refugee women and their communities, and opportunities for women to communicate across the language barriers by printing the news in their native languages.
Monthly meetings are attended by refugee and imigrant women from diverse ethnic and community backgrounds. The women's involvement with a variety of community endeavors creates a rich opportunity for awareness and mutual support and provides a natural link to the service providers in the area. TRIWA meetings are held monthly, often the first Saturday of each month, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Guests are welcome. New members are invited to join us and take part in further developing our organization. Location: Arlington Human Services Building, 401 W. Sanford at Cooper St., Conference Room A. Contact: Lharmony Vitacco, 817-461-7741.
Monthly meetings are attended by refugee and imigrant women from diverse ethnic and community backgrounds. The women's involvement with a variety of community endeavors creates a rich opportunity for awareness and mutual support and provides a natural link to the service providers in the area. TRIWA meetings are held monthly, often the first Saturday of each month, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Guests are welcome. New members are invited to join us and take part in further developing our organization. Location: Arlington Human Services Building, 401 W. Sanford at Cooper St., Conference Room A. Contact: Lharmony Vitacco, 817-461-7741.
If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of the women in our communities, please consider making a generous donation. TRIWA is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status and we will gladly provide a receipt. Please send your check to
Texas Refugee & Immigrant Women's Assocation
410 W. Sanford, Suite 1200
Arlington, TX 76011
Currently our organization consists of all volunteers. We hope you take the opportunity to join us and participate in the organizing and decision-making process at the grassroots level.
President - Samantha Lam
Vice President - Lharmony Vitacco
Treasurer I - Dora Lucero
Treasurer II - Oradee Thanavadee
Secretary - Elizabeth Bockarie
Vanneary Lamouth
Kalyphall Kiv
Dora Lucero
Ampai Le
Lac Ha
Abigail Branch
Linda Evans
David Lerry
Karen Perkins
Abigail Branch
Samantha Lam
Lharmony Vitacco
Polly Flanigan