Somali Community Meets with Public Officials to Voice Concerns

UTICA, NY, July 28, 2008 – “We – the state, the county, the city, the court, the police, Neighborhood Center and MAMI – will work together to help coordinate better services to your community… (It is evident) that more issues need to be addressed.”

RoAnn Destito, NYS Assemblywoman for the 116th Assembly District, made that statement to a group of 40 Somali refugees who had requested a meeting with her and other public officials.

MORE PHOTOS
Assemblywoman Destito with Angelo Roefaro, Virginia Barney & Cornelia Brown.

At the recent meeting, hosted by the Neighborhood Center, Inc. and MAMI Community Interpreters, representatives of the Somali community voiced a number of concerns and issues. Many members of the Somali-Bantu community were present headed by Elder Murithi Mudey.

At the core of their problems was their struggle with learning the culture surrounding the systems of government and social services, transportation issues, and the lack of availability of trained interpreters at moments of crisis.

Ali Juma of MAMI Interpreters opened the session with a prayer and proceeded to interpret the session in Maay Maay. Abdi Hassan, a young secretary of the Somali community, reported that there are many Somali who cannot find a job because of the language barrier. “More English language classes will help,” he said.

He noted that the Somali community faces many difficulties at the Department of Social Services. Because the refugees do not understand the paperwork, nor the timelines associated with them, they are in jeopardy of losing needed services as they transition into the life of the community.

“We need to learn how to work with Social Services,” he said. More interpreters could help resolve the issues that take so long to solve, he added.

Another issue of great concern at Social Services surrounds Somali children. One Somali woman explained how she watched helplessly and voicelessly as one of her children was taken away by Child Protective Services. The woman had no interpreter and, so, couldn’t learn what was happening and why they were taking away her child. She finally learned that her neighbors feared she or the father would kill their child.

One Somali woman in the group then shouted out in her language: “When we were in Somalia we would cover our children with our own bodies to protect them from the bullets. Do you think we would kill them now? The police don’t ask questions; they arrest.”

Destito acknowledged that such issues are a result of actions by Somalis that are “misinterpreted by our culture.”

Ellen Sekreta, from the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, informed the refugees that they do have recourse if they feel that they are being denied access to services and benefits. “You can come to our office and we can complain for you…but you must stand up for yourselves,” she said.

Amina Chevalla, another secretary for the Somali, raised the issues of transportation and tardiness. “I don’t know the system and I don’t know English. If I want to go to school (to learn English) but don’t know how to take the bus and can’t drive, I might be late for school. If I am late, the school goes to DSS (Department of Social Services) and then Social Services stops (my benefits).

Akuer Bahardo, another elder and secretary for the Somali, said, “We want to open a non-profit office to help our Somali people.” Among the issues he wants this office to address are: prevention of HIV, family planning, English as a second language (ESL), and, citizenship. Indeed, in conversation before the meeting, the Somali elder, Sharif Robow, pointed out another reason for the office -- to help their many members who have been laid off from work and their new arrivals find jobs.

Some issues are already being addressed, noted Virginia Barney, director of the Neighborhood Center. Of course, the Refugee Center “helps a lot,” she said. “But one size doesn’t fit all.”

“We are like blind people. We don’t know where to go and what to do,” said Hassan. “You are our directionals…Please help us.”

The Neighborhood Center is partnering with MAMI on several projects, among them, doing outreach into the Somali community -- to check on peoples’ needs and inform them about available services – such as peri-natal care, housing, help with teachers in school or with the police. Also, jointly with Colgate University, the Center has been assisting with job placement and supporting the socialization process for teens.

Robow thanked MAMI and the Neighborhood Center for “advocating for our Somali brothers and sisters.”

In conjunction with MAMI Interpreters, the Neighborhood Center has also been offering ESL classes to assist with lifestyle changes –how to enroll your children in school, how to use telephones, how to call 911, how to read the clocks and calendars, how to live in this society.

Cornelia Brown, director of MAMI Interpreters, added that, thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation, MAMI offered a content-based course in English-as-a-Second-Language, designed with Leatherstocking Driving School, to assist the Somalis in developing good driving skills and knowledge of Rules of the Road. To date, 15 have their learners’ permits and five have their drivers’ licenses or appointments for road tests.

Besides RoAnn Destito, Angelo Roefaro was there representing Mayor David Roefaro, and Sarah Borrman represented Congressman Michael Arcuri.

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