Women Rising Marks 10 Years of Community, Resilience, and Collective Growth

Congolese Integration Network marked a major milestone this week with the 10th anniversary of its Women Rising initiative, hosted at Highline College. The event brought together community members for an afternoon centered on empowerment, reflection, and celebration.

The gathering featured personal testimonies highlighting resilience and transformation, alongside cultural performances, music, and shared meals. Organizers described the atmosphere as both joyful and grounding, reflecting a decade of community-driven work supporting women and families.

Beyond celebration, the event also served a practical purpose: raising funds for the organization’s Welcoming & Healing Center, which continues to respond to urgent community needs, particularly among immigrant and refugee populations.

A key announcement during the anniversary highlighted the launch of a new gardening project at the center. The initiative aims to provide fresh, healthy food for local families while promoting food sovereignty and community well-being. Before development begins, organizers emphasized the importance of completing an arsenic soil test to ensure the land is safe for cultivation and public health.

At present, the project has reached approximately 75% of its $3,000 fundraising goal, with organizers calling for continued community support to complete the final stage and move forward safely.

Leaders from the Congolese Integration Network described the anniversary not only as a reflection on past achievements, but also as a commitment to future growth—rooted in health, dignity, and collective empowerment.

As the event concluded, one message stood out clearly: sustained community effort remains central to building spaces where healing, opportunity, and resilience can grow together.