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SOMALI BANTU COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF UTAH

Mission Statement

The Somali Bantu Community Association of Utah was founded in 2004 to serve the newly arrived Refugees and Immigrants in the United States. The idea of this Community Based Organization (CBO) came from other CBOs like the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City, Catholic Community Services and the Asian Association of Utah who gave the Somali Bantu Community strong moral support to have their own community. They realized that the refugees arriving in the United States would need assistances and resources in adjusting to a new culture, new customs, a new language and new health system

Vision

The Somali Bantu Community Association of Utah provides information and services that helps newcomers gain knowledge, confidence and develop proficiency in various skills. While maintaining cultural sensitivity it provides a cultural orientation for the newly arrived Somali Bantu refugees and immigrants throughout the State of Utah.

As well as serving refugee and immigrant clients, the Somali Bantu Community Association of Utah also assists service providers in learning about meeting the needs of the Somali Bantu Community population. The Somali Bantu Community Association of Utah distributes information and referrals regarding the Somali Bantus to community and faith based organizations, government, agencies, hospitals, community interpretation and direct/indirect service providers throughout Salt Lake City -Utah.

Who is a refugee?

A refugee is a person who has fled from his/her homeland and seeks protection due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, and membership in a particular social group and/or having a particular political opinion.

Services

The Somalia Bantu Association of Utah provides volunteers to work in the community; the volunteers do different works such as case management, hygiene orientation instruction, housing problem solving, job development and social services referrals.

Leadership System

The Somali Bantu Association of Utah is led by a board of directors and individuals working in various professional fields.

Volunteers of the community are responsible for implementing the programs and services. The volunteers who donate their time and expertise in support of their community are: translators, caseworkers, and other people who help the Somali-Bantu refugees to find a job.

Board of Directors

      -     Yahya Abdalla: Chief Executive Officer

-         Mara Sharp: Chief Financial Officer

-         Mohamed Abdi: Secretary

-         Monica Owen: Board Consultant

-         Patrick Lee: Executive Committee

-         Noor Kulow: Executive Committee

-         Robert: Advisory Committee

-         Toy: Advisory Committee

Volunteers

-         Mohamed Mohamed: Somali Bantu Cultural and Religion Advocate

      (Contact information: 801-532-3672)

-         Ali Mohamed: Community Services Specialist

      (Contact information: 801-688-6207)

-         Abdi Noor: Community Outreach Specialist

Contact Information

-         Email: yahya.abdalla@hotmail.com

-         Fax: 801-363-2868

-         Website: http://www.somalibantuassociationofutah.org/