OUR MISSION
Our mission is to empower refugees, immigrants, human trafficking survivors, and underserved Sacramento area residents to achieve self-sufficiency by accessing opportunities to mainstream economic and social systems. We do this by providing safe places, skills development, business loans, and connections to community resources, assisting our clients to build financial and personal assets while maintaining their cultural identity and individual goals.
UPCOMING EVENTS
RHEAP Classes Begin March 19th
RHEAP provides tutoring, ESL and health education classes, and a children's program for Iraqi refugees. Classes are offered every Tuesday from 5-8pm. If you are interested in becoming a tutor, our orientation is March 12 from 7-8pm. Please email us here for further information.
MoneyWork$ Now Accepting Applications
MoneyWork$ is an intensive 6-month program that will help you gain control of your finances. With the help of workshops, financial coaches, and support groups, you can reach your financial goals and gain invaluable financial knowledge. After the completion of the program, you'll get a financial award to add to your savings account.
For more information call Opening Doors at 916.492.2591 or email Nele
Join now! Space is limited!
RHEAP Volunteer Needed
The Refugee Health and Employment Attainment Program (RHEAP) is looking for a volunteer to assist in leading health and ESL classes for Iraqi refugee children ages 18 months to 14 years. The volunteer must be available on Tuesdays, 5-8pm and must have 1 year experience working with children. To apply, email us here.
Now Accepting Men’s Clothing for Eritrean Refugees
The refugee resettlement program is experiencing an influx of Eritrean refugees who fled their homes to neighboring Djibouti. Eritrean refugees have been coming to us straight from Djibouti government prisons with nothing but a small bag of possessions and the clothing they are wearing.
We are now accepting donations of gently used men’s clothing, especially clothing that is ideal for Sacramento’s cold weather, and sizes for men with a slender build.
To donate, please contact us at 916-492-2591 or by email at info@openingdoorsinc.org.
WHAT'S NEW AT OPENING DOORS
Iraqi Health Needs Assessment Results Shows Past Trauma Affecting Iraqi Community
On Monday, May 20th, the UC Davis Clinical and Translational Center, along with Opening Doors and the Mesopotamia Organization, released the collaborative Iraqi Health Needs Assessment report, detailing health concerns in the Iraqi refugee community in Sacramento. 79% of Iraqi refugees who participated in the study said that trauma was their number one health concern. To read more about the effects of trauma in the Iraqi community and the difficulty of navigating the American health care system as an Iraqi refugee, please read the press release from the UC Davis Health System.
Update on Refugee Funding
Last month, the Office of Refugee Resettlement faced budget shortfalls due to the unexpected increase of unaccompanied minor children. We urged community members to contact their Senators and Representatives. It paid off tremendously: the House and the Senate Appropriations Committees have recommended increased funding for the Office of Refugee Resettlement. This increased funding will enable the ORR and organizations like Opening Doors to better meet the needs of incoming refugees. The House and the Senate will vote on the bills at the end of the month. You can read the House Bill here and the Senate Bill here. Stay tuned for more updates!
Opening Doors' Executive Director Featured in the Sacramento Bee
Our Executive Director, Debra DeBondt, was interviewed by the Sacramento Bee about Opening Doors' work with refugees and human trafficking victims. Read the full article here.
SOT Staff in Lodi News
Elisabet of our Survivors of Human Trafficking program presented at a "Stop Human Trafficking" workshop in Lodi last Saturday, January 12. To read more about the workshop, click here.
SOT Team Featured in National Massage Magazine
Our very own Elisabet and Erika of our Survivors of Human Trafficking program were featured in the most recent edition of the National Massage & Bodywork publication as spokespeople on sex trafficking in massage parlors. Read the article by clicking here.
Sign Now to Stop Sex Trafficking in Sacramento
We need 10,000 signatures to capture the city official's attention about the urgent issue of sex trafficking in massage parlors. Join the fight against sex trafficking by signing the petition here. Click the SASSMP image to go to the website or visit facebook and show some support!
ODI Receives Grant for Our Microloan Program that Serves Sacramento's Refugees and Immigrants
Opening Doors is proud to be the recipient of a $110,200 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The grant will enable us to assist refugees in starting or expanding businesses through training, individual assistance and microloans. Click here to view the press release.
For more information, read the Sacramento Bee's article.
Opening Doors Addresses Sacramento’s Small Business Financing Gap
Opening Doors launches its Prosperity Project loan fund providing financing in amounts under $50,000, targeting those who are unable to qualify for traditional loans. Read More.
To view our press release, click here.
Opening Doors' Prosperity Project Loan Fund in the News
Our newly-expanded microloan funding program has been generating some excitement in the media. Click here to view the Sacramento Bee's coverage & the CBS Channel 13's feature below.
MoneyWork$ in the News
CBS 13 recently featured our MoneyWork$ again. Follow this link to view the video and to learn more about how our personal finance literacy program is helping our community.
Our MoneyWork$ Program has been getting attention. Recently, it has been featured in English on CBS 13 News with Call Kurtis (Click here for the link) and in Spanish on Univision 19 (Click here to view).
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