My Story:
I was born in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1990. After a year of living, a civil war broke down within my state and my family along with most Somalis escaped to nearby states. I spent about 3 years in Kenya before moving to Los Angeles, California. Moving to the U.S was a total culture shock for myself and my parents. My father believed in education and was enrolled in a community college while he worked over 40 hours a week to provide for our large family of six children. I was able to assimilate with the American culture and learned how to speak English quickly. My mom would be up early in the mornings to make sure we all had breakfast and lunch for school. She would be up nearly all night waiting for my father to get home from work because working at a convenient store was a dangerous job in West LA during 1995.
My siblings and I weren’t involved in sports or any extra-curricular activities because that required time and money which my parents didn’t have. My siblings and I kept ourselves busy by making up games and spending time with our neighbors’ children. Even though we didn’t have much, we made the best memories. I didn’t even know I was considered poor because my parents always found a way to provide for my family.
Growing up, I didn’t really have a role model or anyone for me to lean on. I had to depend on myself and my family depended on me because I was the first daughter and second child. I spent most of my life caring for my family by cooking and cleaning as well as trying to live the American teenager dream of having a social life and doing well in school. There were times I wish I had the money or transportation to be in involved in certain activities but part of me never stuck with that mindset and I moved on quickly to find something else for me to find pleasurable of doing.
I made a promise to myself when I was about six years old, that no matter how less or much I have, I will always give. When I finally moved to Portland, Oregon, I found myself surrounded by Somalis. The children and parents struggled with the American culture and the English language. I found myself interpreting and assisting in other ways for the families. In high school, I volunteered at a homework club located in a low income apartment complex community center. It was about a ten minute walk from my high school and every few days of the week, I would walk over to assist students with their homework. I later on learned about Human Solutions and its services. I continued to volunteer but after graduation, I moved on to other opportunities.
In the fall of 2014, my old supervisor as a tutor, Tonya Parson contacted me for a new opportunity with the Somali community. With my busy schedule, I was tempted to decline but being a student herself, she was more than happy to help me with the job duties and my school schedule.
I was born in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1990. After a year of living, a civil war broke down within my state and my family along with most Somalis escaped to nearby states. I spent about 3 years in Kenya before moving to Los Angeles, California. Moving to the U.S was a total culture shock for myself and my parents. My father believed in education and was enrolled in a community college while he worked over 40 hours a week to provide for our large family of six children. I was able to assimilate with the American culture and learned how to speak English quickly. My mom would be up early in the mornings to make sure we all had breakfast and lunch for school. She would be up nearly all night waiting for my father to get home from work because working at a convenient store was a dangerous job in West LA during 1995.
My siblings and I weren’t involved in sports or any extra-curricular activities because that required time and money which my parents didn’t have. My siblings and I kept ourselves busy by making up games and spending time with our neighbors’ children. Even though we didn’t have much, we made the best memories. I didn’t even know I was considered poor because my parents always found a way to provide for my family.
Growing up, I didn’t really have a role model or anyone for me to lean on. I had to depend on myself and my family depended on me because I was the first daughter and second child. I spent most of my life caring for my family by cooking and cleaning as well as trying to live the American teenager dream of having a social life and doing well in school. There were times I wish I had the money or transportation to be in involved in certain activities but part of me never stuck with that mindset and I moved on quickly to find something else for me to find pleasurable of doing.
I made a promise to myself when I was about six years old, that no matter how less or much I have, I will always give. When I finally moved to Portland, Oregon, I found myself surrounded by Somalis. The children and parents struggled with the American culture and the English language. I found myself interpreting and assisting in other ways for the families. In high school, I volunteered at a homework club located in a low income apartment complex community center. It was about a ten minute walk from my high school and every few days of the week, I would walk over to assist students with their homework. I later on learned about Human Solutions and its services. I continued to volunteer but after graduation, I moved on to other opportunities.
In the fall of 2014, my old supervisor as a tutor, Tonya Parson contacted me for a new opportunity with the Somali community. With my busy schedule, I was tempted to decline but being a student herself, she was more than happy to help me with the job duties and my school schedule.
Human Solutions History:
In 1988, Human Solutions was created from the Multnomah County Community Action Agency to provide seniors and low-income households with home weatherization and utility assistance. Over the past quarter century, we have expanded our services to meet the needs of Mid and East Multnomah County, which has made Human Solutions more effective in combating homelessness and poverty.
The 1980s: In the late 1980s, Human Solutions was able to shelter approximately 10 homeless families each night. Today, Human Solutions is the largest provider of shelter and housing for homeless families in Multnomah County, serving over 700 people in more than 240 homeless families on any given night. Today, homeless children have a safe place to sleep and play, while their parents work with our staff to begin to rebuild their lives and work towards becoming self-sufficient.
The 1990s: In 1994, Human Solutions built its first affordable housing complex in Gresham. Since then, Human Solutions has either built or rehabilitated 16 affordable housing complexes containing 608 apartments. We will break ground on our 17th housing complex, which will be located at N.E. 99th and Glisan, later this summer. Today, hundreds of families have access to safe housing and services such as budgeting classes and homework help programs for their children.
The 2000s: In 2005, Human Solutions developed its first employment program to help very low-income people with barriers to obtaining living wage employment. Today, more than 300 people each year receive employment and job skills training so they can find work that pays a living wage.
The 2010s: In 2011, Human Solutions completed The Rockwood Building in Gresham. The Rockwood Building provides a wide array of services for low-income and homeless residents of East Multnomah County.
Over the past 25 years, we have helped thousands of families escape poverty and homelessness. The achievements Human Solutions has made are a direct result of the generous support we receive from people like you!
In 1988, Human Solutions was created from the Multnomah County Community Action Agency to provide seniors and low-income households with home weatherization and utility assistance. Over the past quarter century, we have expanded our services to meet the needs of Mid and East Multnomah County, which has made Human Solutions more effective in combating homelessness and poverty.
The 1980s: In the late 1980s, Human Solutions was able to shelter approximately 10 homeless families each night. Today, Human Solutions is the largest provider of shelter and housing for homeless families in Multnomah County, serving over 700 people in more than 240 homeless families on any given night. Today, homeless children have a safe place to sleep and play, while their parents work with our staff to begin to rebuild their lives and work towards becoming self-sufficient.
The 1990s: In 1994, Human Solutions built its first affordable housing complex in Gresham. Since then, Human Solutions has either built or rehabilitated 16 affordable housing complexes containing 608 apartments. We will break ground on our 17th housing complex, which will be located at N.E. 99th and Glisan, later this summer. Today, hundreds of families have access to safe housing and services such as budgeting classes and homework help programs for their children.
The 2000s: In 2005, Human Solutions developed its first employment program to help very low-income people with barriers to obtaining living wage employment. Today, more than 300 people each year receive employment and job skills training so they can find work that pays a living wage.
The 2010s: In 2011, Human Solutions completed The Rockwood Building in Gresham. The Rockwood Building provides a wide array of services for low-income and homeless residents of East Multnomah County.
Over the past 25 years, we have helped thousands of families escape poverty and homelessness. The achievements Human Solutions has made are a direct result of the generous support we receive from people like you!
Mission:
Human Solutions’ mission is to help low-income and homeless families and individuals gain self-sufficiency by providing affordable housing, family support services, job readiness training and economic development opportunities.
My Work:
For the 20014-2015school year, I've worked as a site-coordinator with LearnLinks for Human Solutions. As a site-coordinator, I had a group of 3rd graders up to 8th grader Somali students.
SERVICES:
SNACKS
HOMEWORK CLUB
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE
STATE TESTING
RESOURCE CENTER
VOLUNTEER AND LEADERSHIP
COMMUNITY PROJECT
FIELD TRIPS
For the 20014-2015school year, I've worked as a site-coordinator with LearnLinks for Human Solutions. As a site-coordinator, I had a group of 3rd graders up to 8th grader Somali students.
SERVICES:
SNACKS
HOMEWORK CLUB
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE
STATE TESTING
RESOURCE CENTER
VOLUNTEER AND LEADERSHIP
COMMUNITY PROJECT
FIELD TRIPS
Effective Agent of Change:
I am an African American, Muslim woman, who entered the U.S. as a refugee. I carry a lot of labels that may come off as being someone feared. There is nothing to fear about me. I work, I take care of my family, and I’m near completing my bachelor’s degree and hope to obtain a master’s degree continuing on to my PhD.
I graduated high school with highest honors and was accepted to many colleges but chose to stay near home and attended a community college. I’ve faced many obstacles in my life financially, physically, mentally and emotionally. I want to inspire others to not give up on their plans. I’ve always dreamt of making a difference and when I join a movement to make a change, I believe I’m that agent of change because of the identity I carry. I want others who may feel their skills are not needed to relook their life and know they are valuable human beings who can provide so much to the world regardless of their financial situation or identity.
I am an African American, Muslim woman, who entered the U.S. as a refugee. I carry a lot of labels that may come off as being someone feared. There is nothing to fear about me. I work, I take care of my family, and I’m near completing my bachelor’s degree and hope to obtain a master’s degree continuing on to my PhD.
I graduated high school with highest honors and was accepted to many colleges but chose to stay near home and attended a community college. I’ve faced many obstacles in my life financially, physically, mentally and emotionally. I want to inspire others to not give up on their plans. I’ve always dreamt of making a difference and when I join a movement to make a change, I believe I’m that agent of change because of the identity I carry. I want others who may feel their skills are not needed to relook their life and know they are valuable human beings who can provide so much to the world regardless of their financial situation or identity.
Reflection:
Looking back, I’ve constructed relationships within the Somali community in the past year. I’ve met and helped so many families but more importantly, they have aided me in regaining my Somali culture. I learned how to speak Somali more fluently and I’ve started to read and write in Somali. I’ve gained the trust of the students and the parents I work with. I’ve learned how to plan lessons and activities as well as implementing those plans. I have found myself in very tough situations where some of my students where failing courses or fighting with one another and I had to intervene.
Looking back, I’ve constructed relationships within the Somali community in the past year. I’ve met and helped so many families but more importantly, they have aided me in regaining my Somali culture. I learned how to speak Somali more fluently and I’ve started to read and write in Somali. I’ve gained the trust of the students and the parents I work with. I’ve learned how to plan lessons and activities as well as implementing those plans. I have found myself in very tough situations where some of my students where failing courses or fighting with one another and I had to intervene.