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Since the collapse of the Somali government in 1991 and the
start of the civil war, over 50,000 Somalis including Somali-Bantus have fled to different parts of the world. 12,000 Somali
Bantus have been approved by the Department of State to be resettled in the United States of America. The number of the Somali
Bantu refugees who settled in Syracuse alone is estimated to be over 500 individuals and over ninety five families. The
settlers are coming from a war-torn country. These refugees have a multitude of unique needs.The SBCA is a charitable organization
that was formed in 2004 to help Somali Bantu refugees in the State of New York. The SBCA assists the Somali Bantu refugees
in their resettlement activities, and supports their efforts in maintaining their language, cultural and values
Organizational Background: The Somali Bantu community Services is a non-profit organization is Onondaga County,in central New York providing advocacy services for students and parents, academic/leadership services, and services improving the relations in the Somali Bantu community by addressing the academic and cultural gap facing Somali Bantu children, youth and their families. Through our programs we hope to better position Somali Bantu youth, parents, and other community members to participate fully in public education and other aspects of civic life, and to foster emerging Somali Bantu leaders. The Central New York Somali Bantu Community Association is a not-for-profit with 501(c) (3) status, founded on October 2004 Aims and Objectives: Through collaborative efforts, promote unity, share diversity and voice concerns;Through leadership development information, and training workshops, assist members to integrate into the Americansociety; Through cooperative relationships with community members and service providers, promote community development; Through anti-racism education and liaison with community members and service providers,promote positive race relations;Through the provision of settlement and community services assist individuals and families to integrate and adapt toAmerican society; Through orientation and information,assist families and individuals to access government and community services and programs; Through interpretation, translation and documentation services, facilitate and assist individuals and families; To initiate social and economic development projects that establish more employment opportunities in Somali Bantu community; To bring together all Somali refugee communities regardless of their political beliefs, gender, or age into a framework of mutual cooperation in solving common problems through concentrated effort; To organize educational conferences, seminars and workshops on Somali Bantu community; To encourage members and organizations to undertake or provide voluntary support for the purpose of furthering the mission of Central New York Somali Bantu Community Association; To mobilize, and collect membership fees, annual membership, solicit grants and other donations; To establish a managing body/executive committee, Board of Directors, an advisory group, and various committees. To establish a committee to manage the SBCA web site, update and provide to the minute news and current events; To raise awareness of the needs and pressing issues affecting Somali Bantu community of Central new York; To undertake educational and developmental projects and programs that assist in the development of the people of central New York; To act as a catalyst for networking between Somali Bantu community in central New York, with other community groups, and networking with other organizations to make them aware of our expanding group and diversity needs; and To provide mentoring to students from Somali community, assisting them with job placement, referrals and general support. |