Meet the Team
We are:
Non-Profit
We are a small 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to support refugees and their families on their journey to becoming fully integrated, contributing members of our community.
Inclusive
Hampton Roads Refugee Relief serves all refugees regardless of their origin, faith, gender or background.
Global Hearted
Despite our local focus, our founder and team represent populations from countries all over the world.
Women-Led
Founded by Dr. Rabia Jafri, Hampton Roads Refugee Relief is proud to be a women-led organization.
Board of Directors
Staff
Alison Parker
ESL Teacher
Heather Riggs
ESL Coordinator
Volunteer Staff
Meet Our Founder
Dr. Rabia Jafri
Dr. Rabia Jafri was born in Karachi, Pakistan in the winter of 1974, one of six children. During her early years, Rabia was involved in social enterprises and volunteerism to help others in her own town in Pakistan.
Rabia moved to the United States after her marriage to Dr. Naved Jafri in 1996. Rabia is the proud mother of four children, one graduating from law school, one in medical school, and two teenagers.
Rabia began her medical education at Eastern Virginia Medical School after the birth of all of her children. During the early years of her medical education she began to discover huge gaps in community resources and developed an immense drive to help those in need.
Identifying as an immigrant, Rabia later realized through community friends that many of the basic needs faced on a daily basis by refugee men, women and children were not being totally met. Refugees hailing from underserved countries were in need of physical, dental, and mental health treatment. Just as important as basic essentials was also the need of investment of time into the individuals and families challenged with ongoing shortfalls as they settled in their new life in the USA.
Using her medical and mental health skills and that of her husband and medical friends/colleagues, Rabia set out to weave a network of support. Refugees from countries at war, suffering the atrocities of rape, acute poverty and famine arriving in the USA from all over the world, in a representation of interfaith and cultural beliefs, have been provided with needed assistance.
Dr. Jafri’s commitment to service has continued throughout her life. With significant support from friends and colleagues, she founded Hampton Roads Refugee Relief (HR3), in 2017, to better assist refugees in the Hampton Roads area. In line with Rabia’s vision for health, support and well-being, HR3 offers a comprehensive slate of services to help all refugees, in collaboration with other local non-profits. Dr. Rabia Jafri proudly accepted the Virginia Refugee Mental Health Advocate of the Year award.
