Refugee Immigration Ministry

RIM is a community-based, interfaith nonprofit organization that works with refugees, asylum seekers, and asylees from numerous countries. We avoid proselytizing, encourage each person in the practice of his or her own faith, and consider spirituality to be important in the healing process.



In 1986, The Rev. Constance Hammond developed a Chaplaincy program for the INS Service and Processing Center, which was located on the historic North End of Boston. In response to the needs of those who were released, the Refugee Immigration Ministry (RIM) began to sponsor asylum seekers. RIM was incorporated as a 501(C)3 non-profit organization in 1995 under the leadership of Angelica Harter.



In 1998, the North End Facility was closed and detainees and asylum seekers were scattered throughout New England in local county prison facilities. RIM responded with two major programs: Spiritual Care Givers and the Community Outreach Program. The programs allow RIM to continue the Spiritual Care of Detainees and Asylum seekers and serve those who are paroled to seek asylum through an interfaith network of congregations.



In 2004, RIM became a refugee resettlement site for Episcopal Migration Ministries and contracted with the Massachusetts office for Refugees and Immigrants to offer Case Management Services to asylees. RIM also became certified by Homeland Security to offer reduced-fee legal services. In 2005, RIM opened a computer lab which is part of Community Computer Centers for Tomorrow.



Historic Boston more than most American cities, radiates the pride of its immigrant founders, the commitment to democracy, separation of church and state, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and the right of representative governance. Many of RIM's clients have fled their homeland to escape violence, degradation and terror because they have embraced the same values that were set forth by those who founded this great city.