Coalition links pantry support with civic engagement for immigrant women

Based in Bay Ridge, with programming extended to 5210 Fourth Ave. in Sunset Park, the Women’s Empowerment Coalition of NYC provides education, advocacy, and leadership development opportunities that directly benefit women in the neighborhood and surrounding communities.

Founded in 2019, the Women’s Empowerment Coalition of NYC has grown into a key advocacy presence serving Sunset Park and nearby neighborhoods. The coalition was established under the leadership of Yemeni American organizer and educator Somia El-Rowmeim, whose work centers on human rights and expanding opportunities for women from immigrant and marginalized communities.

At its headquarters at 437 77th St. in Bay Ridge, the coalition offers a gathering space where women build leadership skills, access civic and financial resources, and organize around issues affecting their families. Through intergenerational dialogue and advocacy, the organization cultivates informed leaders advancing women’s and immigrant rights, according to El-Rowmeim.

“We can’t close our eyes to what’s happening here,” El-Rowmeim said. “That’s why I wanted to start the coalition, to bring people together and break down the dividers that make us weak.”

Since opening its doors, the organization has focused on building collective power through education, storytelling, and leadership development, creating pathways for women to engage in civic life and advocate for change.

From ESL support to hands-on civic engagement, the coalition provides opportunities for women to grow personally and professionally while becoming active participants in their communities.

Serving 500 families weekly, the coalition’s food pantry reflects the community’s growing need.

At 5210 Fourth Ave. in Sunset Park, volunteers stack brightly colored grocery bags on tables and hand items to participants. Fresh produce and staples are arranged neatly, while the soft hum of conversation and the rustle of bags fill the space.

Every interaction reflects attention and care, ensuring that women and families can access resources safely and with dignity. The focus is not just on providing food, but on fostering a welcoming environment where community and support come together.

“With my background working with different communities and witnessing the struggles firsthand, I felt this was the best way to bring people together, and it works,” El-Rowmeim said.

For many participants, the coalition represents more than a nonprofit organization. It is a trusted environment where cultural understanding and lived experience shape programming. Women who may have previously felt isolated find mentorship, solidarity, and pathways to leadership within their own neighborhoods.

“For example, our youth program brings together young women from different backgrounds. Girls who are Ukrainian, Arab, and Black come together and register to vote,” El-Rowmeim said. “That’s what makes the coalition powerful, people in action, people who speak different languages. Just last week, within two hours, we registered 35 people to vote.”

That blend of direct support and civic participation is central to the coalition’s mission, connecting immediate needs with longer-term organizing.

As the coalition continues expanding its reach between Bay Ridge and Sunset Park, its mission remains rooted in local impact.

“We’re looking ahead to the next five to 10 years,” El-Rowmeim said. “I would like to see offices in each borough. We already have clients coming from the Bronx to Astoria, Queens.”

The coalition will host a gala on March 27 at 6 p.m. at the Dyker Beach Golf Course Catering Hall, 1020 86th St.