About REDA
Our Mission and Vision
Refugee Enrichment & Development Association (REDA) is dedicated to empowering Sacramento’s refugee communities by providing culturally and linguistically sensitive programs that foster self-sufficiency and successful integration.
Since our start in 2017 with a small $2,000 donation and a strong volunteer base, REDA has grown significantly but our central objective remains the same: to enhance the life skills and resilience of newcomers as they navigate complex challenges like language barriers, cultural assimilation, and socio-economic obstacles. We focus on providing continuous support after the initial government assistance ends, guiding clients until they achieve professional employment, mental health stability, and long-term self-sufficiency.
A History of Impact and Growth
REDA has a proven track record of creating high-impact, necessary programs based on the community’s evolving needs. Our early success includes The "Golden 7” education model, which has led students to incredible achievements—including a 4.0 GPA—and has been recognized by the Mayor of Sacramento.
Recognizing the profound psychological effects of forced migration, we also collaborated with the Sacramento County Department of Health Services to launch the "Your Health Matters" program for the Arabic-speaking community in 2021, later expanding it to the Farsi, Dari, and Pashto-speaking communities in 2024.
Today, REDA operates 10 different programs with 25 paid staff, backed by active grants totaling approximately $3.8 million. We are proudly recognized as the central hub for refugees in Sacramento County, where resettlement agencies refer clients for full needs assessments and connection to a vetted network of partners.
Our Comprehensive Support Model
REDA's multi-faceted strategy systematically dismantles barriers to integration by offering direct, long-term support across critical areas:
- Social Services & Case Management: Intensive case management for immediate needs, including government application facilitation (e.g., public assistance, housing), interpretation and translation, and client advocacy within diverse institutional settings.
- Health and Wellness: Proactive, trauma-informed services featuring systematic mental health screening and triage, along with free, confidential counseling administered by licensed clinicians. We ensure clients are connected to culturally and linguistically sensitive therapists.
- Employment & Self-Sufficiency: Holistic job readiness support, encompassing professional readiness seminars, customized resume/CV development, and targeted job placement assistance aimed at securing living-wage employment.
- Education & Youth Development: Programs designed to prevent high school dropouts and encourage career paths, including K-12 school tutoring with UC Davis students, STEM programs, and the REDA Youth Center for mentorship and socialization. We also offer comprehensive assistance for parents and youth on U.S. integration and vocational training opportunities.
Support Our Mission
REDA’s critical work empowering refugee communities relies on the generosity of supporters like you. As existing grants are projected to deplete by 2026, we urgently need new sources of funding to continue providing life-changing services such as job assistance, mental health support, and education programs. Your donation directly enables us to dismantle barriers to self-sufficiency and build lasting resilience for Sacramento’s refugee families. Please consider making a contribution today to ensure our mission of successful integration continues.