ReEstablish Richmond was founded in 2010 with a clear mission: to fill service gaps for resettled refugee communities and help them thrive in their new home, while also supporting the individuals and faith groups that assist them. By 2013, our programs were gaining momentum, and over the next several years we saw that other immigrant groups were facing similar challenges to accessing community resources. In response, we expanded our mission in 2020 to include all newcomers, not just those with official refugee status.
From the start, we have walked alongside our clients on their journey to self-sufficiency, addressing their most practical needs and goals, and breaking down the barriers that stand in their way. We also work closely with volunteers and others who support newcomers, creating a strong network of care and community. While our programs have evolved to meet the changing needs of the community, our focus remains the same: to provide life-building tools and resources that make the integration process a positive and empowering experience.
Today, ReEstablish Richmond is a trusted ally for refugees, immigrants, faith communities, volunteers, and other service providers across the region. We also serve as a hub of support for partner organizations, offering guidance, resources, and opportunities for these groups to learn from one another, actively contribute, and make a meaningful impact.
By strengthening connections and fostering collaboration, we are building a more supportive, united, and vibrant Richmond for everyone.
Land Acknowledgement
The Greater Richmond Area is built on the territory of the Powhatan Confederacy. In Virginia today, we respect and value the vibrant and enduring Virginia Indian communities that continue to exist and have deep ties to this land.
We cannot change centuries of colonial violence, although it is for these reasons that ReEstablish Richmond exists. We are choosing a different path in the present: one in which we can cultivate community, build trust, and equip the clients we serve who themselves have experienced displacement from their own native lands.
This statement has been crafted in consultation with the Chickahominy Tribal Council.