top of page
COllage banner

Women's Initiative for Self Empowerment (WISE)

WISE was founded in 1995 by multi-cultural immigrant and refugee women who saw the importance of education and leadership as essential drivers of self-empowerment and self-actualization. Today, WISE continues to provide culturally-responsive education and advocacy to immigrant and refugee women, girls and those on the feminine gender spectrum through our partnerships with local school and community sites in Saint Paul, MN.

Book Icon

Education

WISE provides academic support and college preparation for girls in middle school through college.

A gear icon

Leadership

WISE offers a series of life, leadership and job skills training for women and girls of all ages.

A closed fist icon

Empowerment

WISE gives women and girls the tools to become self-empowered and self-sufficient individuals.

What We Do

A girl looking at a book in front of a wall of books.

Provide Academic Support

The Girls Getting Ahead in Leadership (GGAL) program operates both during school hours and after school for immigrant and refugee female-identified youth in grades 6-12. The program offers academic support, while also introducing life skills training and college preparation.

IMG_2943.jpg

Facilitate Post-Secondary Success

The WeLEAD program supports GGAL alums and other immigrant and refugee female-identified students to help them thrive in college and other post-secondary programs. We offer career planning, scholarships and academic support to ensure the success of each student.

3 girls holding up their tote bags that have a DV/SA message

Foster Healthy Relationships

The Healthy Relationships program works with GGAL to educate girls and their families about what a healthy, safe relationship looks like. We work to raise awareness about gender-based violence and offer prevention-based strategies for youth and community members.

A woman speaking to people from the front of the room

Strengthen Family Relationships

The Parent Encouragement program develops workshops and multilingual resources to help immigrant and refugee parents navigate school systems and support their children's developmental success.

WISE has many generous funders and donors that support our work. Some of our work is supported by Grant Number 90EV0586-01-00 from the Family Violence Protection and Services within the Administration for Children and Families Program, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Family Violence Protection and Services Program.

bottom of page