Worcester is one of 27 cities throughout the US that support the relocation and assimilation of international refugees. Founded in 2010 by Worcester residents Ellen Ferrante and Joan Kariko, Refugee Artisans of Worcester (RAW) is a unique non-profit project that works to support refugees and assist them to self-sufficiency through the sale of their artwork, while archiving their heritage and cultural crafts.

RAW artisans originate from the African, Asian and Central American countries of Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Honduras, Iraq, Kenya, Liberia, Nepal, Rwanda, Pakistan, Syria and Vietnam.