Asylee Women Enterprise (AWE) aims to help women seeking asylum rebuild their lives and spirits by providing a safe and nurturing home and opportunities to connect with each other and within the larger community.
Since asylum seekers do not qualify for public benefits, they rely on the kindness of strangers and organizations like AWE to meet their most basic needs until they obtain a work permit and/or approval of their asylum case, which often takes a year or more. Started six years ago, AWE provides English language classes, health care assistance, career development training, and case management for these women.
The Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle grant helped AWE boost availability of rent, financial assistance, housing, and personnel to help asylum-seekers in the Baltimore area.