JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $250,000 TO THE REFUGEE DREAM CENTER (RDC) (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $250,000 to the Refugee Dream Center (RDC).)

H8209

2026 -- H 8209
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LC005676
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $250,000 TO THE REFUGEE DREAM CENTER (RDC)

Introduced By:
Representatives Morales, Sanchez, Giraldo, Cruz, Potter, and Tanzi

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
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WHEREAS, The Refugee Dream Center (RDC), located in the City of Providence, is a
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nonprofit 501(c)(3) founded by Dr. Omar Bah in 2015, with a primary focus on resettlement and
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assistance with the challenges faced by refugees when they come to the United States; and
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WHEREAS, The RDC “offers assistance in finding employment, education, and housing,
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while also providing essential skills and knowledge such as navigating the U.S. healthcare
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system, improving English language proficiency, and guiding individuals on the path to
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citizenship”; and
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WHEREAS, Under newly signed executive orders, the State Department’s refugee
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program is now suspended and the Refugee Dream Center (RDC) has lost federal funding and
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staff; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of money in the treasury not
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otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2025-2026, the sum of two hundred fifty thousand
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dollars ($250,000) to the Refugee Dream Center (RDC); and the state controller is hereby
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authorized and directed to draw their orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said
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sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly
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authenticated vouchers.
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LC005676
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $250,000 TO THE REFUGEE DREAM CENTER (RDC)
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1
This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $250,000 to the Refugee
2
Dream Center (RDC).
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LC005676
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