Hiiraan Online

Honorable Valerie Ervin, Montgomery County Councilmember, presented a Proclamation from the County Council honoring the contributions SACA makes to improve the well-being of residents of Montgomery County, Maryland.  Excerpts from the Proclamation include, “Whereas, the lives of all Montgomery County residents are enriched by the Somali American heritage and culture.”  

Councilmember Irving presented certificates of appreciation to Abukar Fiidoow, Ali Shimbir, Aysha Kassim, and Evelyn Del Rosairo in recognition of their valuable contributions made as volunteers with SACA.  The highlights of the event included:

• Speeches by community leaders
• Imam Mohamed Abdullahi, Montgomery County Muslim Community Center, spoke about the importance of unity and cohesion among Somali people.
• Albert Russell Wynn, US Congressman, highlighted the many ways in which his office has been working with immigrants in his district and would like to convene a meeting with Somali community in Maryland to learn more about the concerns and needs of the community.
• Honorable Saqib Ali, Maryland State Delegate engaged the participants and urged them to exercise their civic duties to further advance the interest of their communities.
• Maryan Ali, Author, Afka Hooyo CD, on the importance of teaching Somali language and culture to our children.
   
• Community Partners
  • Holy Cross Hospital provided blood pressure, osteoporosis, Body Mass Index and body fat, and carbon monoxide screenings.
  • Evelyn Del Rosario, Immigration Attorney, led Question and Answer on immigration issues.
  • Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services provided information about its services to the public, including free and low cost health services.

• Basketball Tournament between middle and high school students in Virginia and Maryland.  Maryland teams won both games!

• Registration for SACA’s Mobile Family Learning Center Programs (Family – Tutor Connection Program, Saturday School Program, and Out-of-School Program) to promote academic outcomes, health, safety, and self-sufficiency of students and adults, particularly unemployed adults.

Maryland basketball team and coaches - middle school

SACA welcomed community leaders and media to this community gathering to promote understanding across cultures.  This event also served as an opportunity to observe the 47th Independence Day anniversary for Somalia, while also pre-celebrating the 231^st Independence Day anniversary for the United States of America. 

SACA was created by Somali Americans in Maryland whose goal is to support the new Somali refugees and immigrants that fled the continued turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy in Somalia since 1991.  The mission of SACA is to promote the well-being of the Somali immigrants and Somali Americans through service and support.  SACA does not participate in the political affairs in the US and in Somalia.  For more information, please contact us and visit our website, www.sacausa.org.