Empowering Refugee Women: How the Seraphim Fund is Driving HMI's Women's Equity Initiative

At HMI, we believe in the power of women to shape their own futures. Through our Women’s Equity Initiatives, we’ve been helping female refugees in Riverside County gain the tools they need to become self-sufficient. Now, thanks to a grant from the Seraphim Fund, awarded by the Inland Empire Community Foundation, we’re ready to expand our reach and help even more women on their path to independence.

For HMI’s Grant Writer, Kaycee Cannon, this grant is a game-changer. "I was excited to apply because it felt like a perfect match for the work we're already doing to support women’s rights. Community foundations like this truly understand the impact of grassroots organizations, and that’s exactly what we’re about. Every step towards self-sufficiency counts, and that’s what success looks like for us.”

With this new support, HMI is set to continue making a difference—one woman, one step at a time.

The Importance of the Seraphim Fund for HMI’s Mission

The Women’s Equity Initiative supports refugee and asylum-seeking women facing challenges like illiteracy, unemployment, and limited mobility and education. By providing emotional and practical support, HMI helps these women overcome these barriers and take steps toward self-sufficiency.

Kaycee Cannon, HMI's Grant Writer, highlights the significance:

"To offer full-time emotional and physical support through HMI for the women in our program means we are getting that much closer to our long-term goals," Cannon emphasized. "HMI aims to see every individual fleeing from violent and inhumane circumstances thrive in the U.S."

Through this initiative, HMI aims to achieve these key outcomes:

● 40% of women will achieve at least four case management goals.

● 25% of women (age 18+) will gain employment.

● 25% of students in the tutoring program will improve their grades by 15%.

● 40% of women will report an increased understanding of mental health.

● 60% of participants in the driver’s education program will obtain their licenses

How the Grant Supports HMI’s Long-Term Vision

At HMI, our mission goes beyond helping refugees achieve independence—we aim to help newcomers build a strong sense of community, access vital resources, and ultimately thrive in their new homes. Many of the women we serve have never stepped into a classroom and come to the U.S. with limited English skills. For some, mental health isn’t recognized as an important part of their overall well-being due to cultural norms. Additionally, many of these women rely entirely on their husbands—not only for financial support, but for basic mobility and access to essential services, including driving themselves and their children.

In California, where driving is crucial to navigating daily life, we see obtaining a driver's license as a vital step towards independence. Many women feel overwhelmed by public transportation systems like the RTA bus network, often finding it difficult to navigate or unsafe in unfamiliar environments. By offering driver's education through our program, we help these women gain the confidence and autonomy to move freely, not just for themselves but also for their families.

The Seraphim Fund allows us to address these needs more comprehensively. With the addition of a full-time Case Manager, we can provide more personalized support through ESL classes, job readiness training, mental health resources, and driving instruction. By breaking down these barriers, we empower women to not only gain independence but also to participate more fully in their communities and build a future where they and their families can flourish.

The Key to Lasting Impact

HMI knows that true change happens through collaboration. By working with local agencies, service providers, and community foundations, the Women’s Equity Initiative is building a support system that allows refugee women to thrive.

Kaycee Cannon, HMI Grant Writer

Thanks to the Seraphim Fund and the Inland Empire Community Foundation, HMI is expanding its capacity to provide these women with the tools they need to become self-sufficient. This isn’t just an investment in a program—it’s an investment in women who will shape their own futures and the future of their communities.

As Kaycee sums it up:

"We’re giving these women the freedom to live their lives with dignity and independence, and that’s what true success looks like."