The Women’s Empowerment Coalition of New York City (WECNYC)

When Somia El-Rowmeim immigrated to New York in 2007 from Yemen, she arrived with a degree in Mathematics and Physics from Sana’a University—but without the network or resources to navigate life in a new country, she faced barriers to economic stability, education, and community support, challenges that too often leave women isolated and struggling to build secure lives in the city.

“When I came to this country I didn’t know where to start, what to do, how to speak English, or where to go to learn English. I really started my life here from scratch,” El-Rowmeim shared.

After five years of hard work, she learned English, became stronger, and joined the Arab American Association as a volunteer to support new immigrants. Within six months of volunteering, she was hired as an ESL teacher. Her journey with the organization culminated in her role as the Adult Education and Women Advocacy Manager.

During her decade-long work with nonprofits like the Arab American Association of New York and the Academy of Medical and Public Health Services, El-Rowmeim taught English as a Second Language (ESL) and observed striking similarities between the struggles of immigrant women in New York City and those she had witnessed in Yemen. She encountered young women eager to pursue education but uncertain about how to start—a challenge that resonated deeply with her own experiences.

Driven to break these cycles of exclusion, she founded the Women’s Empowerment Coalition of New York City (WECNYC). The organization’s mission is to build power and unity among women from diverse backgrounds through education, storytelling, and advocacy programs.

Five months after WECNYC’s creation in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic slammed New York, forcing the organization to pivot many of its operations; instead of organizing and advocacy work as planned, they distributed masks and food, helped mothers navigate the world of remote learning, and raised money for families who needed printers and other assistance. Despite not being part of WECNYC’s original mission, El-Rowmeim recognized the urgency of stepping up during the crisis.

”When they see us in action, it helps build trust between us and the community,” El-Rowmeim attested. “While many organizations were shutting their doors, we were outside to make sure that our community was getting served. It’s not what we actually built this organization for, but it’s very important work nonetheless,” added El-Rowmeim.

Once the pandemic passed its peak, WECNYC refocused on its original mission to offer a variety of social services and civic engagement initiatives: women’s leadership programs, support for domestic violence survivors, youth programs, ESL courses, Know Your Rights workshops, job training, computer training, mental health programming, and more.

The organization’s community has grown to include more than 5,000 people, with over 120 enrolled in their ESL courses; including people who access their biweekly food pantries, WECNYC serves over 10,000 people per year. This programming is run out of their two locations in Bay Ridge and Sunset Park, and the number served continues to grow.

In legal cases of domestic violence, family and children’s rights, and custody—where WECNYC cannot directly help—they maintain close relationships with organizations who can, Brooklyn Defender Services, New York Legal Assistance Group, and the Brooklyn Family Justice Center.

El-Rowmeim is incredibly proud to be able to witness women, especially from immigrant backgrounds like herself, overcome the odds to succeed in ways they once thought impossible and evolve into leaders within their communities.

“The most rewarding part of my work is seeing the women that we’ve helped grow and become the change that they want to see,” El-Rowmeim said. “Some also give back by volunteering or working with us, and others use our guidance to register in college. Many invite us to their graduations, which is always special. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told I was never going to make it. But I did, and so will these women.”

As a result of funding from Brooklyn Org, WECNYC has been able to bolster their youth program and sustain their capacity building amidst budget cuts.

“We have been going through a lot, and support from Brooklyn Org is going to make a huge change, especially when it comes to education and leadership,” El-Rowmeim said.

“Much of Brooklyn Org’s support is going to go to strengthening our Young Women Leadership program, because they are our future, and we should make sure that they are getting the tools and support that they need.”

As for what’s next, WECNYC has been receiving many phone calls to expand from as close by as Queens and the Bronx—and from as far as North Carolina, Tennessee, and Michigan.

“Community members have been requesting that we open new spaces,” noted El-Rowmeim. “There are huge underserved communities in the Bronx and Queens that could use our services. Many of our clients come to Brooklyn from there, actually.”

By responding to immediate needs while steadfastly pursuing its mission, WECNYC has become a cornerstone of support for thousands of women and families across New York. With vital support from Brooklyn Org, WECNYC is poised to strengthen its capacity and outreach to thousands more.

This story was written by Matteo Papadopoulos, one of Brooklyn Org’s January 2025 interns from Brown University’s Careers in the Common Good internship program.