Partner Spotlight: Somali Oregon Service Center
Partner Spotlight: Somali Oregon Service Center
The first and third Tuesday of every month in Southeast Portland, a small crowd gathers outside a low stucco building, mingling among tables laden with dry goods, canned food and fresh fruits and vegetables.
They’ve come to the Somali Oregon Service Center (SOS Center), which exists to support immigrants and refugees living here in Oregon. Led by Executive Director Ali Ibrahim, the SOS Center provides free guidance on everything from housing and employment to legal aid and food resources.
“When refugees arrive here, the two main things they need are shelter and food,” said Ali. “Due to their circumstances, many don’t have the money for either.”
Ali knows first-hand the challenges immigrants face. He was enjoying a thriving career as an English teacher in Mogadishu, Somalia, when the civil war broke out in 1991. Ali was forced to flee his homeland and began working as a field agent with the United Nations Refugee Agency. Eventually, he landed in a resettlement program that sent him to the United States.
Ali is joined by approximately 12,000 Somalis who have relocated to Oregon, many fleeing war, famine or drought. Recognizing the extreme need in his community, Ali and a group of local volunteers began the SOS Center in 2020.
“We meet people where they’re at, assisting them with all the things you’d need to resettle in America,” said Claudia Al-Amin, Managing Director of the SOS Center.
“Our clients are escaping war and famine. So if they need housing, we work with them on housing. We help with physical health, mental health, social, cultural issues, youth engagement, civic engagement . . . all the things a community would need to resettle in America in a positive way.”
Ali adds that SOS Center does not only work with Somalis – their doors are open to all. “We feed everybody who needs food. We have representatives from many communities, like Congolese, Haitians, Afghans. We don't differentiate by color or ethnicity. That's what food justice means to me.”
Food is a human right
For most Oregonians facing food insecurity, public aid is available in the form of government programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). However, for many immigrants in Oregon, no such safety net exists. That’s because to be eligible for SNAP benefits, you must be a legal resident in the U.S. for five years before you can qualify — which means over 62,000 Oregonians are denied access to food assistance simply because of where they were born.
In response to this dilemma, the Oregon Food Bank has joined forces with over 150 community organizations to create the Food For All Oregonians coalition. This grassroots campaign is working to create an Oregon where all people have access to food assistance, including immigrants and refugees.
“The Food for All campaign is so essential,” said Claudia. “We can provide a few bags of groceries, but that’s not going to get a family through the month. That’s why we connect them to the food bank system here in Oregon.”
Community-led solutions
In 2022, the SOS Center began working with the Oregon Food Bank to increase food security and provide more culturally relevant foods to their communities.
“For Somali communities, halal foods are an essential part of their culture,” explained Devin Dinihanian, Food Systems Community Organizer for Oregon Food Bank. “We partner with grocers to provide halal products and work with local farmers to grow the fresh vegetables and greens that are part of the traditional Somali diet.”
Meanwhile, the SOS Center’s robust network of volunteers ensures that it gets to the people who need it most.
“When someone is hungry, we don’t look at immigration status or where they’re from,” said Ali. “I believe that no matter who you see, no matter what nationality, you have to help them. Maybe today I’m helping you, maybe tomorrow I need your help. I don’t know when my time will come.”
A pathway to independence
The SOS Center is just one of over 1,000 partner agencies Oregon Food Bank serves. To help set these organizations up for success, last year Oregon Food Bank launched a unique pilot program called Pathways to Partnership with seven community food pantries — the SOS Center is one of them.
“The idea is that if we provide our partners with concentrated support in the form of funding and guidance, we can empower them to run a successful food distribution network on their own,” said Devin. As organizations become more self-sufficient, Oregon Food Bank can then bring in new partner agencies — and exponentially increase our impact.
Devin is quick to point out that these organizations are eager to contribute to their new communities.
“The immigrants we work with have tremendous skills and are eager to contribute to their new communities,” he said. “It just takes a little time and organizational support to get them on their feet.” He added that most community food pantries are made up of dedicated volunteers, many of whom once received aid themselves.
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