The systems that are currently in place to support refugees and asylum seekers are nowhere near ideal. In fact, seeking refuge in the U.S. comes with insurmountable barriers and difficulties. However, we cannot allow this harsh reality to deter our efforts. There are many ways for us to effectively support families as they settle into life in the U.S. This session will cover the current state of refugees in our country and discuss several community-based approaches to supporting and welcoming new Americans as they begin to build promising futures for themselves and their children.
Amad Alzayat is the son of Lebanese immigrants whose generosity and love instilled in him the importance of giving back. In addition to his professional role as a police officer, Alzayat is the founder of the Amity Foundation, which is dedicated to helping individuals in the community obtain basic necessities.
Samar Khatib Salman is a Palestinian woman who moved to the United States from Kuwait in 1990 after the Gulf War. She received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), and was formerly a math instructor at Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) for 13 years. In the community, Salman has spent time volunteering in several capacities, such as a liaison for the Public Schools System and Refugee Families, serving on the Neighbor Grant Review Committee for the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and at the American Red Cross.
Ahmed Sahid is the founder and President/CEO of Somali Family Service of San Diego (SFS). SFS is a community-based social service non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of refugees and immigrant families in San Diego County. Sahid has cultivated and continues to strengthen partnerships and collaborations with local and national organizations such as the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) and the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC) to serve and actively advocate for refugees and immigrants in the areas of health/wellness, refugee integration, economic development, youth leadership and civic engagement. Additionally, he has served on numerous local, state and national boards, including the San Diego Law Enforcement Roundtable, San Diego Muslim Leadership Council, San Diego Refugee Forum, National Network of Arab American Communities Advisory Board and The California State Advisory Committee for Refugees. Sahid also received numerous awards including LEAD San Diego’s Community Spotlight Award, 10 News Leadership Award, Molina Healthcare Community Champions Award, the KPBS Local Hero of the Year Award, San Diego Business Journal Most Admired CEO Finalist and Neighborhood First – Making it Happen Merit Award for youth empowerment and gang prevention. He was recognized by the White House for his dedication to the refugee community and for implementing best practices for community engagement.
Jamie Kim (Moderator) is the Director of Innovative Programs at ACCESS, where she leads the implementation of new programs and initiatives that build the leadership of young Arab Americans and improve the standing of Arab Americans in American society. She began her career at ACCESS in 2002 as an AmeriCorps Program Coordinator with NNAAC, and was promoted to AmeriCorps Director in 2005. In 2007, Kim was appointed to lead the development of the Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP), one of ACCESS’ three national institutions. After a brief absence from ACCESS in 2010, she returned to the organization in 2011 as an advisor to executive leadership on strategic direction for CAAP and NNAAC. In 2013, Kim became ACCESS’ National Programming Strategist, during which she led the strategic planning process for the organization and the implementation of national strategies under the strategic plan.
Session tags: activism, philanthropy, immigrant and refugee support, human services
Location: Plaza Ballroom A