Graduate School: Northeastern University

Fellowship: Boston Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement and Massachusetts Office of Refugees and Immigrants

Project Description: Stephane has worked on several projects as a Rappaport Fellow. His two main projects include an internal report and a grant he is currently writing with staff members for the Massachusetts Office of Refugees and Immigrants.The internal report documented the experiences, challenges, and successes of a pilot program for shelter transition led by the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) in partnership with the Boston Rescue Mission (BRM) and other City agencies. The report aimed to provide insights to strengthen future immigrant integration efforts and outlined how the continuation of the pilot program deepened trust between service providers and migrant communities. This was particularly achieved through Haitian-led mental health, legal aid, and education sessions. Through extensive interviews with staff members and other stakeholders, Stephane highlighted that participants increasingly engaged in self-advocacy, relied on peer-to-peer support networks, and utilized wraparound services when these access points were culturally competent and localized. However, he noted that gaps in coordination and case management consistency still hindered optimal outcomes, indicating a need for citywide infrastructure reform in immigrant support.

The second major project for the Fall of 2025 involves a grant proposal for The DRIVE Program, led by the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (MORI). This program aims to address a critical barrier to refugee self-sufficiency: the lack of transportation due to the absence of a driver’s license. With a sharp reduction in Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) from 12 months to 4 months, newly arrived refugees face increased pressure to secure employment sooner.The DRIVE Program will equip refugees in Central and Western Massachusetts with the tools, language support, and cultural competencies needed to pass the Massachusetts Learner’s Permit and Road Test. This will enable them to achieve sustainable employment and access educational opportunities.