Who We Are

Refugee Garden Initiatives (RGI) emerged in 2021, sparked by a profound question during Phimmasone Kym Owens' Social Work course: "How can you be an agent of change?" Rooted in her love for gardening and her own refugee background, Phimmasone founded RGI. The pivotal lessons learned during our 2022 prototype garden, primarily from single refugee mothers, led us to focus on this underserved and underrepresented population.

Why Single Refugee Mothers: Through the 2022 prototype garden, we discovered that the majority of our refugee participants were single mothers. Their stories resonated deeply with us, highlighting their underprivileged status and unmet needs. Phimmasone, herself a single refugee mother and a University of Michigan alum, saw an opportunity to leverage her privilege and education. She is driven to pay this forward by providing transformative opportunities to other single refugee mothers.

A Holistic Approach to Thrive: At RGI, we believe in a holistic approach to empower single refugee mothers, ensuring they thrive, not just survive:

1. Trauma-Informed Care: We recognize the significance of addressing the trauma many refugees carry. Our programs include mental health support and counseling to help participants heal and grow.

2. Food Security: Our culturally diverse gardens provide sustenance and honor ancestral traditions, alleviating the food security challenges refugees face in a new homeland.

3. Education: We offer comprehensive ESL programs, along with life and work skills training, empowering participants to engage fully in their new communities.

4. Entrepreneurship Opportunities: Through entrepreneurship initiatives, we foster self-reliance, giving single refugee mothers the tools they need to succeed.

5. Amplifying Voices: RGI provides a platform for storytelling and advocacy, ensuring that the experiences, struggles, and dreams of our beneficiaries are heard and acted upon.

Empowering Through Phimmasone's Success: Phimmasone's journey as an entrepreneur stands as a testament to what is possible. Her success inspires us to continue forging pathways for single refugee mothers, offering them opportunities to thrive, succeed, and create brighter futures.

Why Your Support Matters: Your support is the driving force behind our holistic mission. By joining hands with RGI, you empower single refugee mothers to heal, learn, grow, and prosper.

Join us in making a difference—click the "Donate" button below or in the top navigation menu to discover more and make your contribution today.