REFUGEES HELPING REFUGEES is a community-based, refugee-led organization in Rochester, NY. Our mission is to foster the growth, self-determination, and self-reliance of refugees in our city and county. RHR was founded in 2002 as the Somali Community of Western New York by four Somali refugees, who recognized the struggles of others in their community. Working out of their homes, they helped parents navigate school and health care systems, and started a seniors’ program to lessen the social isolation of Somali elders. They established English language classes by recruiting volunteer instructors among retired teachers. Our founders aside ethnic differences, using their English language skills and experience to serve all members of the community. Soon refugees from other African and Asian countries joined, and in 2015, affirming our commitment to serve refugees of all ethnicities and nationalities, we changed our name to REFUGEES HELPING REFUGEES. Today, RHR serves refugees and immigrants from more than twenty countries. RHR remains the only refugee-led refugee-serving organization in Rochester. We offer all programs and services free of charge.
