What it does
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Oregon | equitable education portfolioin oregon, we continued to advance educational equity through a culturally grounded continuum of early learning and k-12 initiatives serving african immigrant and refugee families across the portland metro area.our early childhood programs served over 90 children through cairo academy, which operated five preschool classrooms in partnership with preschool for all (pfa) and preschool promise. (continued on schedule o)these classrooms offer free, high-quality, culturally responsive preschool education to children from low-income households, the majority of whom are african immigrant and refugee families. In addition to preschool, we delivered parent-centered programming through the early childhood equity fund (ecef), which includes parent education, interactive parent-child learning, and kindergarten transition supports, all designed to center family voice, cultural identity, and school readiness.in the k-12 space, our space program (schools, parents and communities engaged) expanded across reynolds, beaverton, and hillsboro school districts. The space program aims to eliminate academic disparities for african immigrant students by building two pillars of success: 1. Empowered parents: through culturally tailored training and organizing, parents gain the tools to be active leaders in their children's education. 2. Culturally-informed schools: we partner with educators and school staff to strengthen cultural competency and institutional responsiveness to immigrant families.this two-pronged approach creates the conditions for sustained success for somali and other african immigrant youthnot only in school, but in life.
Oregon & minnesota | mental health, youth gang and tobacco prevention and housing stabilityin oregon, we advanced community health through a combination of prevention, intervention, and wellness programming. Our tobacco prevention initiative, operating in multnomah and washington counties, engaged youth and families in developing community-driven strategies to address tobacco addiction and promote long-term prevention. (continued on schedule o)complementing this work, our beyond program (building empowered youth overcoming negative dynamics) reached over 120 school-aged children through gang and violence prevention education, delivered in partnership with the city of portland and the oregon youth development division.cairo also collaborated with kaiser permanente and multnomah county to implement targeted wellness programs focused on improving mental health, resilience, and family well-being. These included youth wellness activities, culturally responsive family engagement, and health education initiatives designed to foster thriving, healthy communities. Cairo's housing access and stability program supported 144 families across central minnesota with services including eviction prevention, rental assistance, housing navigation and wraparound support. We also facilitated eight tenant listening sessions in collaboration with local leasing agencies and community partners to elevate tenant voices, strengthen landlord-tenant relationships, and promote equitable housing practices.as part of our long-term vision for equitable housing, we acquired 3.7 acres of land in st. Cloud, designated for the development of affordable workforce housing tailored to the needs of large-sized, working families. This acquisition marks a critical step toward building community-rooted housing solutions that support economic mobility and family stability for immigrant and refugee communities.
Minnesota | youth education and leadership programsin minnesota, we continued to expand our impact on youth development through a robust portfolio of education, leadership, and career-readiness programming in st. Cloud and central minnesota. Through our flagship space program (schools, parents and communities engaged), we served over 120 students across all middle and high schools in st. Cloud area school district (isd 742). This program provides consistent academic mentoring, family engagement, and school support, helping african immigrant and refugee youth build the confidence, skills, and support systems they need to thrive in school. (continued on schedule o)we launched connect (cultivating opportunities, nurturing new experiences for tomorrow), a new youth leadership and character development initiative. Over the course of six weeks, 60 youth participants engaged in intensive workshops, hands-on community projects, and public speaking opportunities. The program culminated in a transformative global leadership immersion experience in new york city, where students visited historic sites such as the united nations headquarters and ellis island, fostering a sense of civic responsibility and global identity.our mystep (minnesota youth skills training and employment pathways) initiative supported 52 youth in exploring future careers through a 12-week sequence of career advising, academic support, and job readiness training. Students participated in internships, mentorships, and real-world work experiences, and each received a stipend of $1,040 to support their participation and recognize their commitment. Mystep aims to equip studentsmany of whom are first-generation college-goers and young people of colorwith the tools to access college and career pathways.