BRIDGE- Community Health & Development
AYCO health care and disability services aim to BRIDGE the gaps in services experienced by new immigrants. The staff provide knowledgeable guidance through health care and disability resources, with understanding of the language and culture of those seeking this support.
Community Engagement
Family Support Rooted in Shared Experience and Community Building
Family support is rooted in shared experience and community building. Our Community Engagement team works with parents and families to provide translation services, wrap-around supports, emergency assistance, parent and group workshops, educational opportunities, and more.
- HOW OUR TEAM SUPPORTS -
Our Community Engagement team leads our efforts in informing, preparing, and providing for community members during these complicated times. We offer integration support for families guided by the community, reflecting the immediate concerns, reality, and existing capacity of these communities.
VOCA - Victim of Crime Advocates
llaalinta Xaquuqda Shacakba -- "Guarding the Rights of the People"
This project is designed to cater to the overwhelming demand for culturally specific victim services for immigrants and refugees who are survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, hate crimes, and gang violence. Following months of workshops, data collection, surveys, and one-on-one interviews, it is evident that our community suffers from trauma pertaining to their experience as immigrants associated with not only the challenges faced in their home countries but also as minorities in a dominant culture society. Crime survivors in our communities deserve culturally specific victim advocates. Our program has proven that culturally specific services increase victim access to advocacy programs.
I am very grateful to AYCO for their support through a very difficult time of my life. The team went above and beyond to help me & my loved ones"
-Ali A / VOCA Member
- Culturally Specific Services -
Immigrants and refugees face countless barriers when navigating the criminal and civil justice systems. Lack of cultural competence in agencies, language barriers, and a lack of trust and confidence in the system are just a few of the things our community members face. Our victim advocacy program addresses these barriers and aims to bridge the gap in victim advocacy services. All of our advocates speak more than one language and are highly qualified to address cultural needs.
Youth Violence Prevention Program
The Youth Are The Future
- How We Uplift The Next Generation -
Youth Violence Prevention (YVP) Advocates work with at-risk youth to provide the additional support they need to inhibit gang involvement and violent activity. YVP offers academic support, one-on-one and small group mentoring, extracurricular sports and activities, youth leadership, environmental education, internships, and more. In addition, the YVP Advocates work closely with schools on a higher level to advocate for system change and address disproportionate disciplinary measures taken against Somali students.
BRIDGE FUNDERS
THOSE WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE
