H 8201Funding & Budget

Making an Appropriation to Higher Ground International to Support Their Critical Work Supporting Immigrants and Refugee Populations

Appropriates $250,000 to Higher Ground International to support services for immigrant and refugee populations in Rhode Island.

Held for study

Population
Affected

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Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution authorizes a $250,000 appropriation from the Rhode Island state treasury to Higher Ground International for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Higher Ground International is a domestic nonprofit corporation operating within the state that focuses on community support and integration.

The funding is specifically designated to support the organization's work with immigrant and refugee populations, with a particular emphasis on Liberian and West African communities. The services funded by this appropriation include providing basic needs supplies, literacy and language classes, clinical therapy, job skills training, and immigration assistance.

Additionally, the funds will support transportation, case management services, and the Sweetie Care African Elders Enrichment Program. The bill notes that these efforts are intended to provide marginalized communities with the tools needed to thrive, focusing heavily on the West End neighborhoods of Providence. The state controller is directed to pay the funds upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.

For younger readers

This bill gives $250,000 of state money to a nonprofit group called Higher Ground International. The money will help immigrants and refugees in Rhode Island get things they need, like food, language classes, and job training. It focuses especially on helping people from West Africa who live in Providence.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

ImmigrantsRefugeesLiberian and West African communitiesElderly immigrantsHigher Ground International staff and clients

Impacted communities

Providence

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low. The legislature has the standard constitutional authority to appropriate state funds for public purposes, including grants to domestic nonprofits.

Estimated cost

$250,000

Estimated revenue

Not specified

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Directly funds essential support services for marginalized immigrant and refugee communities.
Provides holistic care, including mental health therapy, education, and basic needs.
Supports elder care through the Sweetie Care African Elders Enrichment Program.
Promotes equity by targeting specific underserved neighborhoods in Providence.
Represents a one-time appropriation rather than permanent, sustainable funding for these services.
The $250,000 amount may be insufficient to fully address the systemic needs of these communities.
Relies on a private nonprofit rather than guaranteeing these services as a state-provided right.

For Conservatives

Funds job skills training and language classes, helping immigrants become self-sufficient and enter the workforce.
Utilizes a community-based non-profit organization rather than expanding a government bureaucracy to deliver services.
Helps integrate legal refugees into the local community and economy.
Uses taxpayer dollars to fund services specifically targeted at immigrants and refugees.
Increases state spending by $250,000 outside of the standard agency budget process.
Directs state funds to a specific private organization rather than using a competitive public grant process.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated to HIGHER GROUND INTERNATIONAL, a Rhode Island domestic nonprofit corporation, the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000), out of any monies in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for fiscal year 2026-2027, to support Higher Ground International’s critical work with and supporting immigrants and refugee populations including, but not limited to, Liberian and West African immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized communities within the state. This work includes, but is not limited to, providing basic needs supplies, literacy and language classes, clinical therapy, job skills training, immigration assistance, transportation, the Sweetie Care African Elders Enrichment Program, and case management services, to ensure those who come from marginalized communities have the tools they need to thrive, with a particular focus on communities within the West End neighborhoods of Providence. The state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw their orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as maybe from time to time required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers. EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF JOINTRESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO HIGHER GROUND INTERNATIONAL TO SUPPORT THEIR CRITICAL WORK SUPPORTING IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEE POPULATIONS *** This joint resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) to Higher Ground International, to support their mission of supporting immigrants and refugee populations.