RiseLink Foundation Charitable Trust was founded by Mohamed and Hassan, former refugees and migrants who are now graduates of the University of Canterbury. Drawing on their lived experiences and academic backgrounds, including a Master’s in Urban Resilience and a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Education and minors in Political Science, they offer a unique perspective on belonging, leadership, and starting over. Having personally navigated the challenges of resettlement, they now transform adversity into action through education, community engagement, and public service.
Meet The Founders
I arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand as a refugee in 2014. Like many others, I came with uncertainty but also a deep hope for safety, stability, and opportunity. Today, I am a husband, a father, a business owner, and the founder of two community-driven organisations.
RiseLink Foundation was created from lived experience mine and that of my co-founders to uplift refugee, migrant, and ethnic communities through real pathways to education, employment, wellbeing, and leadership. We don’t just understand the barriers; we’ve overcome them.
I am also proud to have founded the Canterbury Somali Association in June 2019. What began as a grassroots initiative is now a trusted voice supporting the wider Somali community in Christchurch.
My journey is proof that with the right support, former refugees can thrive and lead. That’s what RiseLink stands for. We walk alongside others so they too can rise with dignity, confidence, and purpose.
We don’t rise by leaving our stories behind—we rise by carrying them forward, turning every struggle into a stepping stone for others.
I am Hassan Hassan, co-founder of RiseLink Foundation. I came to Aotearoa New Zealand as a young child from a refugee background unfamiliar with the language, the systems, and what it meant to belong. Education became my turning point.
From ESOL classes to becoming Student President at Hagley College, and later completing a Master’s in Urban Resilience and Renewal, I turned early adversity into purpose. Through my research, I uncovered a critical gap: too many young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds are excluded from decisions that shape their lives.
RiseLink was created to address that gap. It is more than a foundation it is a movement grounded in lived experience, driven by equity, and powered by community-led solutions. We exist to uplift others the way we were once uplifted so no child walks that journey alone.
Our mission
RiseLink exists to empower refugee, migrant, and ethnic communities through lived experience and cross-disciplinary expertise. We drive transformative change by creating pathways to education, employment, wellbeing, and leadership guided by integrity, transparency, and accountable leadership, where every individual is supported not just to integrate, but to thrive.
Our vision
A vibrant, inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand where all communities (regardless of background) are visible, valued, and actively shaping a more just and connected future.
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How RiseLink helps
RiseLink creates pathways to education, employment, and economic participation, while promoting wellbeing, youth development, and community resilience. The organisation advocates for equity and works to strengthen social cohesion, guided by a vision of an inclusive and thriving society for ethnic, migrant, and refugee-background communities.
Entering the workforce
We support people from ethnic, migrant and refugee backgrounds to enter the job market with confidence. From building a CV to preparing for interviews and finding the right job opportunities, we provide practical support tailored to individual goals. We help people start with sustainable income and build towards long-term career growth, with the aim of seeing individuals thrive and contribute meaningfully to Aotearoa’s economy and society.
Help with education & studies
Whether starting school, returning to study or planning further education, we offer guidance and hands-on support every step of the way. We assist with understanding and completing application forms, protecting personal privacy, and navigating the full enrolment process. Our aim is to remove barriers to learning and connect people with the right education providers, so everyone has the opportunity to reach their potential.
Help learn the english language
Language is key to connection, confidence and opportunity. Our tailored English programmes support former refugees, migrants and ethnic communities, especially parents and single caregivers, by fitting around work and school schedules. Whether for everyday life, study or employment, we help build strong communication skills so people can feel confident and connected in their new home.
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Supporting the cause
Your donation helps us uplift refugees, migrants, and ethnic communities through education, employment, and wellbeing support.
We’ve lived this journey and now we walk alongside others to help them thrive.
Every contribution makes a real difference. Thank you for standing with us.
Get in touch
If you or someone you know could benefit from RiseLink Foundation’s support, the first step is to get in touch. Whether it’s assistance with study, employment, language, or community connection, the team is here to listen and help.
Donations
At RiseLink Foundation, our ability to support ethnic, migrant, and refugee-background communities relies on the generosity of people like you. Your donations help us continue providing vital services in education, employment, and community wellbeing. If you’re interested in making a difference, please get in touch. Together, we can build a more inclusive and empowered society.
Where To Donate:
RISELINK FOUNDATION CHARITABLE TRUST
38-9026-0871753-00
Phone:
022 197 0910
Socials:
