Youth ambassador and Promise scholar uses poetry to cope with childhood adversity
Youth ambassador and Promise scholar uses poetry to cope with childhood adversity
Feb. 14, 2020
Forced to deal with unexpected adversity as a teenager, first-year Community College
of Rhode Island student Halima Ibrahim found an outlet through poetry, using her words
to express what she didn’t always have the strength to say out loud.
Now the 17-year-old East Greenwich resident and Rhode Island Promise scholar is teaching
others the power of the written word as the state’s new Youth Poetry Ambassador.
Appointed through the Rhode Island Center for the Book’s Youth Poetry Initiative,
Ibrahim is only the third such ambassador in the state’s history, tasked with helping
others who’ve walked in her shoes become more comfortable with themselves and their
voices through poetry.
The concept is familiar to Ibrahim, whose bouts with Lyme disease and chronic inflammatory
demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) from high school through now elicit a range of
emotions she still sometimes struggles to process. She began writing in eighth grade
and hasn’t stopped yet. As a Muslim who lived in her father’s homeland of Egypt during
the Arab Spring protests, poetry has also fueled Ibrahim’s passion for activism. Her
work covers a variety of topics from illness and gun violence to race and Islamophobia.
“Poetry is therapy, but it’s also education,” Ibrahim said. “It keeps my brain working
and allows me to get my emotions out.”
Ibrahim’s winding journey has led her to CCRI, where she is currently enrolled as
a Promise scholar studying Fine Arts with the ultimate dream of earning her PhD in
Art History.
In addition to her role as the state’s Youth Poetry Ambassador, she is also active
within the March for our Lives Rhode Island movement as one of its founding members,
the RI Womxn’s Action Initiative – formerly the RI Chapter of the Women's March on
Washington – and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence. Poetry is the backbone
of her activism; in 2018, she performed her poem, “Wake Up,” in front of a crowd of
more than 7,000 at the March for Our Lives rally at the State House. Since then, she
has become a respected voice among youth activists within the community, sharing profound,
thought-provoking poems at various rallies.
Having experienced racism – and even gun violence – first-hand, Ibrahim’s words reflect
her life experiences, and her passion for poetry, coupled with her ability to relate
to young teenagers, made her a logical choice to become the state’s youth ambassador.
“With poetry, I’ve been able to make people listen to things that people don’t necessarily
want to listen to,” Ibrahim said. “Teens have ideas and topics they’re not always
comfortable talking about because they don’t think they’re going to be listened to.
They don’t think their voice is important enough. Poetry is a good way to get people
to listen and also help them develop their voices to gain more confidence.
“My biggest goal is to make sure young teenagers know their voices.”
Ibrahim’s transition from a shy, withdrawn teenager to an outspoken youth advocate
began within the confines of her home while struggling with an illness that eventually
forced her to withdraw from high school.
The symptoms began in middle school when she had trouble concentrating on assignments
and moving her legs in class. Her parents tried homeschooling, but her conditions
worsened, often leaving her bedridden for days – sometimes months – at a time. Adverse
effects from her medication, primarily spinal fluid buildup, further sidetracked her
education. Forced to use crutches for long stretches at a time, Ibrahim kept herself
sharp by reading books and writing poetry. When her symptoms finally subsided, albeit
temporarily, in early 2019, she decided to focus on completing her GED with the intention
of enrolling at CCRI as a Promise scholar.
“It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” she said.
Ibrahim is now living her dream of attending college, which would not have been possible
without Rhode Island Promise. Three days after completing her final GED exam, Ibrahim
began her first semester at CCRI. With help from the college’s Disability Services
for Students (DSS) office, she missed only three days in the fall due and finished
with a 3.94 GPA. Weekly infusions of IVIG, or immunoglobulins, through a port-a-cath
help heal her nervous system and allow her to focus in the classroom.
She hopes others will have the same opportunity to attend college and continue their
education through the Promise scholarship.
“It needs to become a more widely-accepted option,” Ibrahim said. “I don’t like to
think about ‘What Ifs,’ but I’m thankful for Rhode Island Promise. This was meant
to be. I still wake up some days unable to walk, and I still have crutches, but my
professors are understanding and Disability Services has been wonderful. I’m receiving
a quality education at CCRI and it should be a viable option for everyone.”
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WARWICK, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly celebrates the graduation of its first cohort of the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) Apprenticeship Readiness Program, marking a significant milestone in the college’s commitment to expanding career pathways in the skilled trades. The graduation ceremony took place on Thursday, April 3, at 3:30 p.m. at CCRI’s Warwick Campus.
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Warwick, RI -- The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announced the winners of its 2025 Student Film Festival following a weekend of cinematic talent and storytelling. The festival kicked off with a red-carpet gala on Friday, May 10, and continued on Saturday, May 11, with a full day of student film screenings. The event drew students, faculty, and local film lovers to celebrate the achievements of CCRI’s talented filmmakers.
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Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) will launch the next phase of work-based learning to increase internships for students to work directly in workplace environments, gaining valuable skills and experience necessary for college and career success.
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A partnership between the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and Delta Dental of Rhode Island (DDRI) is building a pipeline of highly trained, workforce-ready dental hygienists to respond to a nationwide demand for dental hygienists and lay the groundwork for a stronger, more sustainable oral healthcare system in Rhode Island.
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May 16, 2025
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) celebrated a milestone achievement: its 60th Commencement Ceremony. Held at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, the event marked the culmination of CCRI’s year-long diamond anniversary celebration and was a stirring tribute to six decades of transformation, opportunity, and achievement for Rhode Islanders.
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The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) softball team is headed back to the NJCAA Division III Softball World Series for the second consecutive season following another remarkable run in 2025. With a 19-7 overall record, CCRI is currently ranked No. 6 in the NJCAA Division III national poll and will represent the Northeast District and Region XXI at the World Series, held May 21–24 at Carrier Park in Dewitt, NY.
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Brendan Murphy, former Smithfield, RI, resident and one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the Community College of Rhode Island’s men’s basketball program, was honored recently as the college’s Athletic Alumni Award recipient at the state’s 2024–25 Scholar-Athlete Awards ceremony hosted by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi.
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May 07, 2025
Ten student-athletes from the Community College of Rhode Island were honored last week for their athletic and academic achievements as part of the annual Scholar-Athlete Awards held in House Chamber of the Rhode Island State House. The Legislative Awards are designed to provide public recognition for student-athletes from CCRI, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island for significant achievements in their academic and athletic pursuits. The honorees have also demonstrated exemplary citizenship and community service.
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The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and Rhode Island College (RIC) are proud to announce the launch of a new, fully online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) program. This innovative partnership offers CCRI nursing graduates a seamless, affordable, and flexible pathway to earn their BSN while delivering the academic rigor and clinical relevance that Rhode Island’s healthcare system demands.
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April 29, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) has partnered with United Way of Rhode Island to establish a 211 satellite office on CCRI’s Warwick campus, expanding access to essential community resources for students. This collaboration underscores CCRI’s ongoing commitment to removing barriers to student success and ensuring students have the support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
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April 23, 2025
Warwick, R.I. – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce the launch of a new Ophthalmic Technician training program through its Division of Workforce Partnerships. This 120-hour program, beginning in May 2025, is free of charge and designed to prepare participants for immediate employment in a fast-growing healthcare field.
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April 23, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Foundation has appointed four new members to its Board of Trustees. We are honored to welcome these four distinguished leaders to the CCRI Foundation,” said Rosemary Costigan, Ph.D, RN, Interim President of CCRI. “Their diverse backgrounds, deep ties to the community, and shared dedication will support us in advancing the college’s mission of access, equity and opportunity.
CCRI and Rhode Island Energy partner to launch free utilities career exploration program
April 17, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Energy are teaming up to offer a free exploratory program designed to give participants a window into the growing utilities industry.
Introduction to Utilities – free to anyone who meets eligibility requirements through funding from Rhode Island Energy – is a seven-hour introductory course that provides participants with foundational skills and knowledge to explore career pathways within the utilities sector, specifically with Rhode Island Energy.
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April 10, 2025
Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announces that four distinguished faculty members have been recognized with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards. The recipients, honored for their exceptional dedication to student success and academic excellence
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April 10, 2025
Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce that it has been designated a Military Friendly® School for the fourth consecutive year, achieving Gold status for the first time during the 2025–2026 academic year. This prestigious recognition underscores CCRI's unwavering commitment to supporting military service members, veterans, and their families.
CCRI Celebrates First Cohort of MC3 Graduates, Expands Apprenticeship Readiness Program to Providence and Newport Campuses
April 08, 2025
WARWICK, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly celebrates the graduation of its first cohort of the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) Apprenticeship Readiness Program, marking a significant milestone in the college’s commitment to expanding career pathways in the skilled trades. The graduation ceremony took place on Thursday, April 3, at 3:30 p.m. at CCRI’s Warwick Campus.
Feb. 14, 2020
