Welfare Rights Initiative

Dearest WRI alumni,

One more day! See you all tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27th at 7pm in Hunter’s Faculty and Staff, 8th Floor West Cafe (formerly Faculty Dining Room).

Just call her, Dr. Chireau Lewter-White. Congratulations to WRI's alumna on her amazing academic achievement. Access to education enables us all to reclaim agency and define our next steps, grounded in the pride and resilience of our shared communities.

Today is a momentous day for our access to education program at Hunter College. It's Hunter's inaugural Giving Day and we were invited as a featured education program. You should also know that students designed, organized, and implemented a phenomenal symposium at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute, Hunter College, today at 12noon.

Your support for low-income, welfare-eligible, and first-generation students at Hunter College sends a powerful message about expanding the postsecondary education pipeline. Research consistently shows the transformative impact of higher education.

We would be honored to have your support for our education for all movement.

Welfare Rights Initiative Empower Students, End Barriers: Support Welfare Rights Initiative on

Today, April 18th, 2026, Welfare Rights Initiative current students and alumni leaders are participating in Hunter College Alumni Weekend Tabling Expo. We are sincerely grateful for the unwavering support of Dr. Nancy Cantor, President of Hunter College.

Did you know that WRI student leaders led the successful passage of the only NYS legislative victories that currently enable students from welfare-eligible households to attend 2- and 4-year colleges in New York State?

Did you know that even with good first-step policies, WRI students must continuously advocate for proper and timely implementation practices?

Each day at Hunter College, WRI students exemplify the transformative power of access to education.

We believe that every student has inherent dignity and worth.

We believe that our shared values + shared visions = social change.

We believe that NYS must take bold steps to expand access to education by supporting current students and bringing more high schoolers into the post-secondary education pipeline.

We invite you to support our education access for all movement!

WRI has been selected as a featured project for Hunter's inaugural April 29th Giving Day. Early giving is in effect now! To date, over 7,000 students have connected with WRI's self-advocacy resources to achieve their higher education goals, reaffirming the transformative power of education. Together, we can empower more students to access the higher education pipeline. Please click on the link below to support WRI.

Hunter College Giving Day 2026 Hunter Giving Day is April 29! Help bridge the future for students. Join me!

"Empower Students, End Barriers: Support the Welfare Rights Initiative. ​For 30 years, since 1995, Welfare Rights Initiative (WRI) has inspired, organized, and nurtured a student-led, grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring welfare-eligible and low-income students have every opportunity to pursue education as a pathway out of poverty."

Hunter College Giving Day 2026 Hunter Giving Day is April 29! Help bridge the future for students. Join me!

It's time for reflection, healing, and liberation... Join us for a community workshop hosted by WRI alum Jack Skelton! Your presence is requested at our Tuesday, March 24th, 7pm Alumni Engagement Network virtual meeting. Please mark your calendars and invite your cohort peer to join you this Tuesday at 7pm.