2024-11-15T20:39:49-05:00 2023-12-31 854041997 PIERSON CPA PLLC 201 W FRANCIS AVE STE H SPOKANE WA 99205 990 2023-01-01 900652201 REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT CONNECTIONS OF SPOKANE REFU 5092092384 35 W MAIN AVE STE 205 SPOKANE WA 992015119 BIPASHA BISWAS BOARD MEMBER 5092092384 2024-11-15 true true LORI A PIERSON P00358786 5094650762 2024-11-15 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z RICS BIPASHA BISWAS 2950 W 22ND AVE SPOKANE WA 99224 428853 false X HTTPS://WWW.RICSPOKANE.ORG X 2011 WA TO SUPPORT AND EMPOWER REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING SERVICES, FOSTERING COMMUNITY BONDS, AND ADVOCATIONG FOR REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS IN THE INLAND NORTHWEST. 8 8 24 48 0 408445 428745 0 36 84 -274 24 408207 428853 4600 0 0 245483 447836 0 19850 103948 145736 354031 593572 54176 -164719 558842 397774 7829 11480 551013 386294 X REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT CONNECTIONS SPOKANE SUPPORTS AND EMPOWERS REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING SERVICES, FOSTERING COMMUNITY BONDS, AND ADVOCATING FOR REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS IN THE INLAND NORTHWEST. false false 136620 PRIME PROGRAM THE PROMOTING REFUGEE INTEGRATION, MOBILITY AND EMPOWERMENT (PRIME) PROGRAM IS A GOVERNMENT-FUNDING PROGRAM THAT PROMOTES SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF RECENTLY ARRIVED REFUGEES AFTER THEIR INITIAL RESETTLEMENT. RICS CURRENTLY OFFERS CASE MANAGEMENT AND SHORT-TERM SERVICES TO RECENTLY ARRIVED FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS FROM MANY COUNTRIES. 88065 WELLNESS PROGRAMS REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT WELLNESS PROGRAM THE WELLNESS PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE WHOLE-PERSON HEALTH OF ANYONE WHO IDENTIFIES AS A REFUGEE OR IMMIGRANT OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS. ROOTED IN A TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH, WE DRAW ON COMMUNITY STRENGTHS TO BOLSTER INDIVIDUALS' SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL HEALTH. WE FOCUS ON COMMUNITY CONNECTION, A SENSE OF BELONGING AND PURPOSE, AND POSITIVE EXPERIENCES. WE ENVISION A SPOKANE WHERE EVERY COMMUNITY MEMBER HAS ACCESS TO THE SERVICES, SPACES, SUPPORT AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS NECESSARY TO THRIVE COVID SUPPORT WAS PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITY TO ASSIST REFUGEES WITH RENT, ENERGY, FOOD AND OTHER EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS FREE FACE MASKS AND OTHER RESOURCES THAT HELPED THEM STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE IN THE FACE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. MINI GRANTS AND FISCAL SPONSORSHIPS WERE PROVIDED TO SEVERAL OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO INCREASE THE OUTREACH OF SUPPORTING SERVICES AND RESOURCES. 73688 REFUGEE ELDER OUTREACH PROGRAM THIS PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO THE EMPOWERMENT OF REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME TO THE UNITED STATES LATER IN LIFE. IN ADDITION TO ENSURING THAT ELDERS ARE INCLUDED IN OTHER RCS PROJECTS, RCS COORDINATES ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS SPECIFICALLY TAILORED FOR REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT ELDERS. THESE INCLUDE: BASIC ESL CLASSES; CIVIC-ORIENTED "SETTLING INTO SPOKANE" FIELD TRIPS; TRAINING IN THE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION; NUTRITION EDUCATION; AND PARTICIPATION IN A COMMUNITY GARDEN. REFUGEE ELDER/IMMIGRANT SENIOR OUTREACH CONNECTS CLIENTS WITH ESL CLASSES, SENIOR SERVICE WORKSHOPS, CIVIC AND CULTURAL FIELD TRIPS, CITIZENSHIP CLASSES AND ELDER GROUPS WITH ART AND MUSIC AND FOOD. WE FOCUS ON HOLISTIC HEALTH, WITH THE GOAL TO ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO BECOME CITIZENS. 134273 OTHER PROGRAMS: REFUGEE KIDS CONNECT THIS PROGRAM WAS STARTED IN 2017 BY A LOCAL WOMEN COMMITTED TO MENTORING YOUTH. REFUGEE KIDS CONNECT IS A NO-COST ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR KIDS AGES 5-18. IT IS DESIGNED TO OFFER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS FROM FAMILIES WHO HAVE COME TO THE US AS REFUGEES OR IMMIGRANTS. IN THE PROGRAM, WE ENCOURAGE BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS, CONFIDENCE, FUTURE-THINKING, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS THROUGH ACTIVITIES WITH A FOCUS ON ARTS, SPORTS, OUTDOORS, AND ACADEMICS. WE ALSO SUPPORT WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS AND OFFER HOMEWORK HELP. WORLD REFUGEE DAY REFUGEE CONNECTIONS SPOKANE (RCS) TAKES THE LEAD IN COORDINATING WITH NEARLY 12 OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO HOST A COMMUNITY-WIDE CELEBRATION OF LOCAL REFUGEES FOR THE ANNUAL UNITED NATIONS WORLD REFUGEE DAY. WORLD REFUGEE DAY CELEBRATION HAS INCREASED ITS PARTICIPATION, GATHERING 700 ATTENDEES WITH A NATURALIZATION CEREMONY, CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES, INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES, AWARDS CEREMONY, INTERNATIONAL FOOD, CULTURAL MARKETPLACE, AND COMMUNITY AGENCY FAIR TO RAISE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION ABOUT REFUGEES IMPACT IN SPOKANE. TRANSLATOR/INTERPRETER COURSE TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF CERTIFIED LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS AND TRANSLATORS, RCS HAS COLLABORATED WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO RE-ESTABLISH REGULAR LANGUAGE CERTIFICATION TESTING IN EASTERN WASHINGTON, AND TO PREPARE BILINGUAL REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS FOR THIS TEST. THROUGH OUR ADVOCACY, THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT AND SOCIAL HEALTH SERVICES (DSHS) NOW OFFERS REGULAR LANGUAGE CERTIFICATION TESTING IN EASTERN WASHINGTON. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE WORKED WITH COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO PRESENT A COURSE TO PREPARE BILINGUAL REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS TO TAKE THIS TEST. THIS MEANS MORE INTERPRETERS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO HELP THOSE REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH SKILLS TO COMMUNICATE WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS. PATIENT PASSPORTS PATIENT PASSPORTS, IN 10 LANGUAGES INCLUDING ENGLISH, CONTAIN REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT CONTACT INFORMATION, MEDICAL PROVIDERS, MEDICATIONS, ALLERGIES, AND OTHER INFORMATION NEEDED FOR PATIENT VISITS TO CLINICS, HOSPITALS, AND EMERGENCY ROOMS. WSU MEDICAL SCHOOL PHARMACY STUDENTS HELP WITH OUTREACH AND DISTRIBUTION. PATIENT PASSPORTS HELP PEOPLE WITH LIMITED ENGLISH SKILLS TO COMMUNICATE WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO ENHANCE THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WE MAKE THIS RESOURCE AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE. CENSUS 2020 OUTREACH THE 2020 CENSUS IS CRUCIAL TO MANY POPULATIONS, BUT ESPECIALLY TO REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS, AMONG LESSER COUNTED GROUPS. PARTNERING WITH ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER COALITION, RCS IS SENDING CENSUS CULTURAL LIAISONS TO RUSSIAN, ARABIC, NEPALI, MARSHALLESE, KINYARWANDA/SWAHILI/FRENCH, KAREN, CHIN, HMONG, VIETNAMESE AND KOREAN TO DO PRESENTATIONS AND EDUCATION IN THOSE COMMUNITIES. WE HAVE A LINK TO RESOURCES ON 2020CENSUS.GOV, SPOKANE COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE, WASHINGTON NON-PROFITS AND OTHERS LEADING UP TO THE CENSUS COUNT, APRIL 1, 2020. REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT STORIES - VOICES OF HOPE THIS MULTI-MEDIA PROJECT DEVELOPED OUT OF AWARENESS THAT STORIES EMPOWER AND HEAL. IN THE MIDST OF A CLIMATE OF HATE, TRUTH IN STORY CAN BRING HOPE, BUILDING UNDERSTANDING WHICH LEADS TO EMPATHY AND ACTS OF SOLIDARITY. REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT STORIES REMIND US OF OUR COMMON HUMANITY THAT WE NEED EACH OTHER TO BE COMMUNITY. STORIES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN MULTIPLE FORMATS, INCLUDING WRITTEN, AUDIO AND VIDEO ON OUR WEBSITE, TELEVISION, THE RADIO AND SOCIAL MEDIA. WELCOME TO SPOKANE PROGRAM WAS ADDED IN 2023. THE WELCOME TO SPOKANE PROGRAM INCLUDES A COMMUNITY ORIENTATION AND RESOURCE NAVIGATION PROGRAMS FOR NEWCOMBERS. APPROXIMATELY 600-700 INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN SERVED BY RIC'S PROGRAMS OFFERED DURING 2023. 134273 432646 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 6 0 24 true false false false false false false false false X 8 8 false false false false false false false true true false false false true false true false true true false false WA X X KATHRYN GARRAS 5092092384 35 W MAIN AVE STE 205 SPOKANE WA 99201 X BIPASHA BISWAS BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 RUMYANA KUDEVA VICE CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JOHNNA NICKOLOFF BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 LUISA ORELLANA BOARD CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 VICTORYA ROUSE SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 STOJA SARIC TREASURER 1.00 X 0 0 0 NAGHMANA SHERAZI BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MELKAM TESFAYE BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 false false false 300 193423 235022 428745 84 84 TSHIRT SALES 20 20 MISCELLANEOUS 4 4 24 428853 24 84 368546 280094 74667 13785 44367 20250 19369 4748 34923 26577 7074 1272 13470 8245 5225 28120 21451 6669 1168 100 1068 13408 6381 7027 40580 30513 10067 744 296 448 1169 545 624 5673 2509 3164 WRD PROGRAM EVENT 17505 17505 PROGRAM SUPPLIES 9340 9340 DUES, MEMBERSHIPS 4899 2708 2191 MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT 3549 3549 6111 2583 3483 45 593572 432646 141076 19850 349303 188163 209490 209562 14044 13995 49 49 558842 397774 7829 11480 7829 11480 X 439276 253191 111737 133103 551013 386294 558842 397774 -164719 X false false false X 321436 364858 306138 408445 428745 1829622 321436 364858 306138 408445 428745 1829622 1829622 36 62 38 36 84 256 1829878 5736 0.99990 0.99990 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 9044 8995 49 5000 5000 49 FORM 990, PAGE 1, ITEM C REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT CONNECTIONS SPOKANE FORM 990, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 6 RCS RELIES HEAVILY ON THE VOLUNTEERS FOR MANY FUNCTIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION. THE BOARD MEMBERS SERVE ON THE BOARD AS VOLUNTEERS. VOLUNTEERS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE ORGANIZATION CARRYING OUT THE PROGRAMS. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B WELLNESS PROGRAMS REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT WELLNESS PROGRAM THE WELLNESS PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE WHOLE-PERSON HEALTH OF ANYONE WHO IDENTIFIES AS A REFUGEE OR IMMIGRANT OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS. ROOTED IN A TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH, WE DRAW ON COMMUNITY STRENGTHS TO BOLSTER INDIVIDUALS' SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL HEALTH. WE FOCUS ON COMMUNITY CONNECTION, A SENSE OF BELONGING AND PURPOSE, AND POSITIVE EXPERIENCES. WE ENVISION A SPOKANE WHERE EVERY COMMUNITY MEMBER HAS ACCESS TO THE SERVICES, SPACES, SUPPORT AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS NECESSARY TO THRIVE COVID SUPPORT WAS PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITY TO ASSIST REFUGEES WITH RENT, ENERGY, FOOD AND OTHER EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS FREE FACE MASKS AND OTHER RESOURCES THAT HELPED THEM STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE IN THE FACE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. MINI GRANTS AND FISCAL SPONSORSHIPS WERE PROVIDED TO SEVERAL OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO INCREASE THE OUTREACH OF SUPPORTING SERVICES AND RESOURCES. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4C REFUGEE ELDER OUTREACH PROGRAM THIS PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO THE EMPOWERMENT OF REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME TO THE UNITED STATES LATER IN LIFE. IN ADDITION TO ENSURING THAT ELDERS ARE INCLUDED IN OTHER RCS PROJECTS, RCS COORDINATES ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS SPECIFICALLY TAILORED FOR REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT ELDERS. THESE INCLUDE: BASIC ESL CLASSES; CIVIC-ORIENTED "SETTLING INTO SPOKANE" FIELD TRIPS; TRAINING IN THE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION; NUTRITION EDUCATION; AND PARTICIPATION IN A COMMUNITY GARDEN. REFUGEE ELDER/IMMIGRANT SENIOR OUTREACH CONNECTS CLIENTS WITH ESL CLASSES, SENIOR SERVICE WORKSHOPS, CIVIC AND CULTURAL FIELD TRIPS, CITIZENSHIP CLASSES AND ELDER GROUPS WITH ART AND MUSIC AND FOOD. WE FOCUS ON HOLISTIC HEALTH, WITH THE GOAL TO ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO BECOME CITIZENS. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D OTHER PROGRAMS: REFUGEE KIDS CONNECT THIS PROGRAM WAS STARTED IN 2017 BY A LOCAL WOMEN COMMITTED TO MENTORING YOUTH. REFUGEE KIDS CONNECT IS A NO-COST ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR KIDS AGES 5-18. IT IS DESIGNED TO OFFER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS FROM FAMILIES WHO HAVE COME TO THE US AS REFUGEES OR IMMIGRANTS. IN THE PROGRAM, WE ENCOURAGE BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS, CONFIDENCE, FUTURE-THINKING, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS THROUGH ACTIVITIES WITH A FOCUS ON ARTS, SPORTS, OUTDOORS, AND ACADEMICS. WE ALSO SUPPORT WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS AND OFFER HOMEWORK HELP. WORLD REFUGEE DAY REFUGEE CONNECTIONS SPOKANE (RCS) TAKES THE LEAD IN COORDINATING WITH NEARLY 12 OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO HOST A COMMUNITY-WIDE CELEBRATION OF LOCAL REFUGEES FOR THE ANNUAL UNITED NATIONS WORLD REFUGEE DAY. WORLD REFUGEE DAY CELEBRATION HAS INCREASED ITS PARTICIPATION, GATHERING 700 ATTENDEES WITH A NATURALIZATION CEREMONY, CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES, INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES, AWARDS CEREMONY, INTERNATIONAL FOOD, CULTURAL MARKETPLACE, AND COMMUNITY AGENCY FAIR TO RAISE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION ABOUT REFUGEES IMPACT IN SPOKANE. TRANSLATOR/INTERPRETER COURSE TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF CERTIFIED LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS AND TRANSLATORS, RCS HAS COLLABORATED WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO RE-ESTABLISH REGULAR LANGUAGE CERTIFICATION TESTING IN EASTERN WASHINGTON, AND TO PREPARE BILINGUAL REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS FOR THIS TEST. THROUGH OUR ADVOCACY, THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT AND SOCIAL HEALTH SERVICES (DSHS) NOW OFFERS REGULAR LANGUAGE CERTIFICATION TESTING IN EASTERN WASHINGTON. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE WORKED WITH COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO PRESENT A COURSE TO PREPARE BILINGUAL REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS TO TAKE THIS TEST. THIS MEANS MORE INTERPRETERS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO HELP THOSE REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH SKILLS TO COMMUNICATE WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS. PATIENT PASSPORTS PATIENT PASSPORTS, IN 10 LANGUAGES INCLUDING ENGLISH, CONTAIN REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT CONTACT INFORMATION, MEDICAL PROVIDERS, MEDICATIONS, ALLERGIES, AND OTHER INFORMATION NEEDED FOR PATIENT VISITS TO CLINICS, HOSPITALS, AND EMERGENCY ROOMS. WSU MEDICAL SCHOOL PHARMACY STUDENTS HELP WITH OUTREACH AND DISTRIBUTION. PATIENT PASSPORTS HELP PEOPLE WITH LIMITED ENGLISH SKILLS TO COMMUNICATE WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO ENHANCE THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WE MAKE THIS RESOURCE AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE. CENSUS 2020 OUTREACH THE 2020 CENSUS IS CRUCIAL TO MANY POPULATIONS, BUT ESPECIALLY TO REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS, AMONG LESSER COUNTED GROUPS. PARTNERING WITH ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER COALITION, RCS IS SENDING CENSUS CULTURAL LIAISONS TO RUSSIAN, ARABIC, NEPALI, MARSHALLESE, KINYARWANDA/SWAHILI/FRENCH, KAREN, CHIN, HMONG, VIETNAMESE AND KOREAN TO DO PRESENTATIONS AND EDUCATION IN THOSE COMMUNITIES. WE HAVE A LINK TO RESOURCES ON 2020CENSUS.GOV, SPOKANE COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE, WASHINGTON NON-PROFITS AND OTHERS LEADING UP TO THE CENSUS COUNT, APRIL 1, 2020. REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT STORIES - VOICES OF HOPE THIS MULTI-MEDIA PROJECT DEVELOPED OUT OF AWARENESS THAT STORIES EMPOWER AND HEAL. IN THE MIDST OF A CLIMATE OF HATE, TRUTH IN STORY CAN BRING HOPE, BUILDING UNDERSTANDING WHICH LEADS TO EMPATHY AND ACTS OF SOLIDARITY. REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT STORIES REMIND US OF OUR COMMON HUMANITY THAT WE NEED EACH OTHER TO BE COMMUNITY. STORIES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN MULTIPLE FORMATS, INCLUDING WRITTEN, AUDIO AND VIDEO ON OUR WEBSITE, TELEVISION, THE RADIO AND SOCIAL MEDIA. WELCOME TO SPOKANE PROGRAM WAS ADDED IN 2023. THE WELCOME TO SPOKANE PROGRAM INCLUDES A COMMUNITY ORIENTATION AND RESOURCE NAVIGATION PROGRAMS FOR NEWCOMBERS. APPROXIMATELY 600-700 INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN SERVED BY RIC'S PROGRAMS OFFERED DURING 2023. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B A DRAFT WAS PROVIDED TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND KEY OFFICERS OF THE BOARD FOR REVIEW BEFORE BEING FINALIZED. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C NEW BOARD MEMBERS RECEIVE A BOARD PACKET THAT INCLUDES A CODE OF ETHICS. EACH MEMBER SIGNS THE CODE OF ETHICS AT THE BEGINNING OF THEIR TERM. MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM VOTING ON MATTTERS WHERE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A RECORDS OF ALL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS ARE RECORED AND KEPT AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE. THE TREASURER MONITORS BY MAINTAINING MONTHLY REPORT RECORDS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 PUBLIC DOCUMENTS INCLUDING THE FORM 990/909EZ ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.