Success Story: Elise Silvestri

Elise Silvestri ministers to immigrant women in their homes through the Immigrant & Refugee Women's Program in St. Louis, MO.

The Immigrant & Refugee Women's Program (IRWP) is a nonprofit educational organization whose purpose is to increase the independence and reduce the isolation of immigrant and refugee women by offering them one-on-one instruction in basic English and practical living skills in the security of their own homes.

I began the Immigrant & Refugee Women's Program in 1995 with seven Vietnamese women students. Within two years I was working with women from four different cultures. Soon the Bosnian refugees began resettling in St. Louis. Two highly trained and experienced educators, both women religious from other communities, heard of my work and volunteered full time. I began networking with other immigrant and refugee service providers in St. Louis. An advisory board was developed. We advertised for more teachers through newspaper articles and church bulletins. Program guidelines were developed. Teacher training focused on individualized adult learning that addressed the culturally sensitive needs of each client. We developed relationships with religious communities, civic organizations, charitable foundations, Catholic parishes, and individuals to help sustain the mission.

Soon, many refugees from many countries were being resettled in St. Louis. In these ten years the Immigrant & Refugee Women's Program has served more than 270 women from Vietnam, Bosnia, Kovoso, Albania, former Soviet Union, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Liberia, Congo, Benin, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Haiti, Mexico, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan-the majority of them refugees.

Contact Elise:

Elise Silvestri, SSND
624 West Ripa Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63125
Home: 314-544-5206
Work: 314-771-1104
E-Mail: elisesil@ssnd-sl.org
Website: irwp.net