UPLIFT – Youth Services

Schools: ​​Cherry Park Elementary School, Mill Park Elementary School, Gilbert Elementary School, Rosa Parks Elementary, Glenfair Elementary, Markham Elementary. Harrison Park 

Elementary cultural navigators are housed in elementary schools to provide students with individualized support either in the classroom, in small groups, or one-on-one. Cultural navigators bridge the gap between Somali elementary students, their parents, and schools to shift trends that leave our students trailing in academic success indicators.The cultural navigators support parents so they can advocate for themselves and their children.

Elementary Cultural Navigators:

• Amina Mohamed

Testimonials:

"Ayco has helped me by switching schools to a better environment.” –Asha

"Ayco has helped me become more confident by expanding my connections through the community.” –Manar

"Ayco has driven me to become a better version of myself.” –Sarah

"Ayco has provided me with resources to better my education.” –Isha 

"Ayco has helped me relieve my stress.” –Mom

“I love AYCO because it provides resources and support to families to help our children excel in school.” —Mom 

“AYCO provides after-school activities, tutoring sessions and field trips for my kids and I love seeing Muslim people helping our kids in school because they are not a lot of staff/people that look like us.” –Mom 

“I enjoy AYCO because of how helpful they are. I can go to AYCO to complete my homework, and they encourage me to keep trying and do better. They facilitate my interactions with those who can assist me in making career decisions and are approachable individuals. I really appreciate how AYCO organizes basketball tournaments, field trips, and other events to engage students in both inside and outdoor activities.” –Huda Aden

“I love the inclusivity of this Girl’s Group and the important lessons that we learn together.” –Saliha Negawo

"I like how the Girls Group treat each other and make everyone feel included. I love AYCO because they want us to have a goal, succeed in school and have a better future for us.” –Salma Yusuf 

Schools: Floyd Light Middle School, Ron Russell Middle School, Alice Ott Middle School, Jackson Middle School, HB Lee Middle School, Lane Middle School, and Roseway Heights Middle School.

Our Middle School Cultural Navigator (MSCN) meet with their youth in one-on-one settings either on-campus or at AYCO. MSCNs do occasional house visits when a student needs additional support or receives disciplinary action. In addition, the MSCN works with teachers and administration regularly for check-ins. 

Middle School Cultural Navigators:

• Anwar Sheikh

Testimonials:

“Before you came into that school, I didn’t know there were that many muslims at this school. When you came you made all the muslims come together. It brought a sense of togetherness that allowed us to be brothers.”  –Mohamed Carter

“I feel like Ayco helped by bringing in Anwar to help me pray dhuhr on time everyday. I really enjoyed getting to play in the ayco tournament”.  –Ahmed Surur

“I think it helped build a better muslim community at school, and helped manage my problems at school better.”  –Amira Aziz

“I think it has helped with my schooling and helped me get to my classes better.” –Malia Jackson

“It brought everyone together and gave us a chance to have fun. Just had a lot of fun having a chance to play in the ayco tournament as well.” –Abdirazaq Ali

Schools: Ida B. Wells High School, Mcdaniel High School, Reynolds High School, David Douglas High School, Rosevelt High School, Franklin High School, and Centennial High School.

High School Cultural Navigators (HSCN) work with a total of over 100 youth in Ida B. Wells High School, Mcdaniel High School, Reynolds High School, David Douglas High School, Rosevelt High School, Franklin High School, and Centennial High School. HSCN meets one-on-one with youth on-campus, in coffee shops, at home, and at AYCO. In addition, they do weekly tutoring and mentorship with homework, college applications, financial aid applications, and scholarships. 

High School Cultural Navigators:

• Nabil Abdullahi

Testimonials:

“AYCO has been a huge part of my education! I can always count on them for homework help.” - Ibrahim

“I have been a part of AYCO basketball tournaments for over five years now!” - Khalid 

“I love field trips!” - Hamza 

“Thank you AYCO for helping me graduate.” - Ahmed 

“The Youth Leadership Program taught me how to properly conduct myself in a professional manner.” - Shuaib 

High School Cultural Navigators have regular check-ins with teachers, counselors, and admin to monitor student activity and performance and help youth stay on track for graduation and otherwise. High school cultural navigators aim to inspire their students and turn their dreams into reality. HSCNs plan field trips for their students and fun activities that the students will enjoy. Including rewarding our students at the end of the year with gift cards, goodie bags and hosting graduation ceremonies for our graduating class of seniors.

Schools: Portland Community College, Mount Hood Community College, Portland State University,  and  University of Portland.

College Cultural Navigator (CCN) works with first-generation college students. College Cultural Navigator does one-on-one assistance and mentorship on-campus, at coffee shops, at the AYCO center, and virtually. The CCN provides homework help, career coaching, job search assistance, helping youth find and apply for scholarships, etc.

Testimonials:

“AYCO has helped me with funding my education at the University of Portland. The scholarship has helped me immensely! I am grateful for their internship as well. It has helped me make connections with incredible people. It has also opened up my knowledge about what AYCO does and the different programs they have, such as Uplift, Community Engagement, and Voca.“

“AYCO has impacted my life in so many ways like helping me get the resources and skills that I need. They have helped me partnered with great mentors who have guided me through the obstacles and challenges in life.“

“Ayco has helped me a lot in many ways, some of them being getting out of my comfort zone and talking to new people and becoming more social. They also helped me out in school when I was at my lowest and I gave up on the assignment. They showed great love and helped me with doing the assignment!” –Yaseen Ahmed

“I’m blessed to have a community like AYCO who have provided me with the  support and guidance in the toughest times of my life. I never thought of getting a college education, but the mentors here have helped me see the importance of having one. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them. ” –Sara Abdi

“Ayco is an amazing organization that has done so much for me, and has really helped me in countless ways. They have helped me through my highschool years and transitioning to college. They have provided me with guidance and financial support through this transition, and I am really thankful and blessed to have Ayco by my side. I want to give a shoutout to my mentor Nuradin, he has been a huge help through all this, and I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor. “ –Ali Nur