named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
After School Program
Academic support, homework assistance, mentoring, and social integration for refugee and immigrant children in grades K–8; serves approximately 50 students
Case Management
Support with social services, healthcare access, school registration, immigration resources, and community integration
Say Yes Summer School Program
Summer academic program for refugee and immigrant children in grades K–6; serves 25–50 students annually
Somali Bantu Community Farm
Rural farm in East Aurora, NY, growing culturally appropriate produce for the community; provides fresh food access, farming opportunities, and revenue through cash crops
Translation and Interpretation Services
Language support in Chizigula, May May, Somali, and Swahili for adults and children accessing social services, healthcare, and education
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- After-school program for refugee and immigrant childrenOperates an after-school program for refugee and immigrant children in grades K through 8, serving 50 students. The program supports academic development and community engagement.
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Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
- Case management servicesOffers case management services for adults and children, including assistance with accessing social services, health care, public school registration, and immigration resources.
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Conflict Mediation & Resolution Services 1 activity
- Conflict resolution servicesProvides dispute and conflict resolution services within the Somali Bantu refugee and immigrant community to promote harmony and community cohesion.
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Culturally Specific Support Services 1 activity
- Cultural preservation and empowerment programsEducates and empowers refugees and immigrants in Buffalo and Erie County while preserving their traditions, languages, and cultures through community-based programming and support services.
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Summer Academic Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Say Yes Summer School and summer camp programRuns the Say Yes Summer School and a six-week summer camp program for refugee and immigrant children in grades K through 6, serving 25–50 students annually.
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Community-Based Urban Agriculture 1 activity
- Somali Bantu Community Farm and fresh produce distributionOperates the Somali Bantu Community Farm on an eighth-acre garden in East Aurora, NY, providing weekly distributions of fresh produce to over 100 families in Buffalo from July to October 2017 and distributing 1,500 pounds of vegetables to people in need. The farm uses equipment purchased with a $74,000 grant, including a tractor, pickup truck, van, trailers, fencing, and irrigation systems.
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Language Access Services 1 activity
- Translation and interpretation servicesProvides translation and interpretation services in Chizigula, May May, Somali, and Swahili for adults and children to support access to education, health care, and social services.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2020
revenue
Total revenue$88K
Contributions & grants$88K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$94K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$54K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$81K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$44K
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBRAHIM IFTIN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $12K |
board members · 7
- AHMED HASSAN — DIRECTOR
- KAWIYE JUMALE — DIRECTOR
- KRISTIN HELTMAN-WEISS — DIRECTOR
- MAHAMUD MBERWA — DIRECTOR
- MURJAN ISSA — DIRECTOR
- SISTER KATHLEEN DOUGHERTY — DIRECTOR
- SISTER ROSEANN CAPPOLA — DIRECTOR
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- Canisius College Partner — Collaborating organization in the after-school program
- Daemen College Partner — Collaborating organization in the after-school program
- D’Youville College Partner — Collaborating organization in the after-school program
- East Aurora Huddle Partner — Collaborated on launching the Somali Bantu Community Garden in 2017.
- General Mills Funder — Cofunded a nearly $74,000 grant in April 2018 for farm infrastructure and operations.
- Newman’s Own Foundation Funder — Awarded a $10,000 grant in October 2019 to support nutrition and fresh food access programs.
- Providence Farm Partner — Collaborated on establishing the Somali Bantu Community Farm in East Aurora, NY.
- Say Yes Summer School Program Partner — Collaborates on a summer school program for refugee and immigrant children in grades K through 6.
- Sisters of St. Mary of Namur Partner — Collaborating organization in the after-school program
- United Way of Buffalo and Erie County Funder — Awarded a nearly $74,000 grant in April 2018 to support farm expansion and equipment purchases.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Culturally-Grounded Agriculture as Empowermentmethodology: culturally-grounded agricultureBy integrating traditional Somali Bantu farming knowledge into community agriculture, the organization promotes intergenerational collaboration and food sovereignty because culturally relevant practices enhance participation, preserve identity, and strengthen subsistence resilience.
- Culture-Centered Empowermentmethodology: culture-centered empowermentBy integrating cultural preservation with education and identity affirmation, the organization strengthens community cohesion and resilience among refugees and immigrants because shared cultural practices foster trust, belonging, and collective agency in the integration process.