Somali American Council Of Oregon

OREGON EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT: Over the past year, SACOO has actively addressed unemployment challenges by assisting individuals with filing for Unemployment Insurance benefits and accessing Paid Leave Oregon. Additionally, SACOO has supported claimants in their job search efforts by providing guidance on resume building, job applications, and career readiness resources. SACOO proudly served across different backgrounds and communities. Reaching individuals of statuses to ensure inclusive access to financial empowerment and opportunity. With the support of our funding partners, SACOO successfully achieved the following goals: 1. Increased Community Awareness: Raised awareness and understanding of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits and related resources within the Somali community. 2. Improved Access and Financial Stability: Delivered UI-related services and support to individuals, resulting in improved access to benefits and enhanced financial stability for community members. 3. Capacity Building for Staff and Advocates: Strengthened the skills and confidence of UI staff and community advocates, enabling them to more effectively engage with and support the Somali community while expanding their knowledge, technical skills, and resource networks.

3. CITY OF PORTLAND AC - EARTH ADVANTAGE - SACOO is committed to supporting the community during the summer by providing air conditioning units to individuals affected by extreme heat. As temperatures rise, especially during heat waves, SACOO's efforts help ensure vulnerable residents stay cool and safe. By offering this essential support, SACOO is helping reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and improving overall well-being throughout the hot season. With the support of Earth Advantage, SACOO successfully achieved the following goals: 1. Provided over 700 air conditioners to individuals living within City of Portland. 2. To ensure comfort and safety during the heat wave, we are providing air conditioning in all common areas. Residents are encouraged to stay indoors and make use of these cooled spaces to avoid heat-related health risks.

TRILLIUM - PROJECT GURI 1. Addressing Rent and Utility Needs: With Trillium funding, SACOO directly supports Portland-area households struggling with housing instability. The funding provided critical rent and utility assistance to prevent evictions and ensure families could maintain stable housing throughout the year. Our approach prioritizes both financial aid and client-centered case management, with an emphasis on long-term stability and wraparound support. This effort helped reduce housing insecurity across vulnerable populations and ensured access to essential services during times of crisis. 2. Population Served: SACOO proudly provided rent assistance across the Portland metro area, reaching 758 individuals to help families remain housed and stable throughout the year. With the support of Trillium funding, SACOO successfully achieved the following goals: - Provided rent assistance to 147 households, supporting a total of 758 individuals across the Portland metro area. - Helped prevent housing displacement by prioritizing families at risk of eviction, with services concentrated in high-need ZIP codes.

HEALTH AUTHORITY- TOBACCO: In 2024-2025, with the support of the Public Health Equity grant, SACOO (Somali American Council of Oregon) significantly expanded its commercial tobacco prevention efforts, focusing on culturally responsive community outreach, education, and youth engagement. Our work centered on preventing tobacco use, especially the growing issue of e-cigarette and hookah/shisha consumption among youth and underserved communities. This report highlights our achievements, community impact, partnerships, and activities carried out from July through June 2025. - Community Events & Outreach; - Hosted 7 culturally tailored tobacco prevention events that brought together youth, parents, and community leaders. Events included interactive educational activities and presentations focusing on the dangers o tobacco and e-cigarette use. - Strengthened collaboration with key partners, including David Douglas School District, to promote tobacco-free environments and co-host prevention programming. - Supported policy change efforts, promoted best practices in tobacco prevention, and worked to build a sustainable movement for tobacco-free living. Collaborated with Co-imagine health tobacco free illustration campaign. - Increased Activity & Reach: Organized 20 impactful events, including major community gatherings, focusing on the risks of shisha, hookah, and flavored tobacco products. About 50 to 200 community members reached. Youth Engagement: Increased participation in all-age events, especially among middle and high school students. Partnerships Expanded: Schools, community-based organizations, and local leaders. Surveys Conducted: Data gathered to inform future program development. Featured in a culturally relevant PowerPoint presentation on tobacco risks, followed by a community health speaker. The event included a Q&A session that sparked thoughtful discussion and community engagement on cessation strategies.

OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY- OHP: 1. Addressing Healthcare Access and Social Determinants of Health: Over the past year, SACOO has provided direct support to hundreds of community members through our Oregon Health Authority-funded initiative to enroll eligible individuals in the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). We expanded our efforts to include vital wraparound services that address the social determinants of health (SDOH). 2. Population Served: SACOO takes an equity-centered approach in working with marginalized and underserved communities across the Portland Metro area. 3. Goals Achieved Through 2024-2025 Funding: With support from the Oregon Health Authority, SACOO has achieved the following: a. Successfully enrolled and renewed 450+ individuals into the Oregon Health Plan, helping ensure access to critical health services such as primary care, preventive screenings, and mental health care. b. In addition to healthcare enrollment, clients received access to services targeting food insecurity, stable housing, employment, and legal assistance-addressing multiple barriers to health equity. c. Our team of multilingual, culturally competent navigators worked directly with clients to build trust and simplify systems navigation, reducing drop-off rates in service utilization. d. We hosted multilingual workshops and outreach events in Somali and English, educating families on healthcare access, OHP benefits, and preventive wellness practices. e. We help guide clients through the healthcare system from start to finish, helping schedule critical appointments and following up with clients to ensure successful access to care.

WASHCO-CLACKAMAS COUNTY-TOBACCO: Commercial Tobacco Prevention

PORTLAND OIC: The Youth Gang Violence Prevention Project works to support youth who are at risk of gang affiliation, crime, and substance abuse in high-risk areas within the Somali and African Community. The initiatives in this program include community engagement through educational workshops for parents, support groups, and youth on topics such as youth crime, gang involvement, substance abuse, effective communication, and positive parenting strategies. The project initiatives also include case management and mentorship, and sports programs (which is currently being facilitated at East Port Community Center and Southwest Community Center two times a week). In the case management, we work directly with at-risk youth, which include middle school, high school, college students, youth who dropped out high school, youths who have recently been released from jail or prison, and youth who are currently on probation from previous criminal convictions. Each week, we work on-on-one with each of these youth through office and home visits. We have supported several of these youth to create resumes and secure employment, apply and guide with the process to get into GED programs, support with college admission applications and FAFSA, provide tutoring, and creating social and academic success plan to maintain self-sufficiency while making positive life choices. Overall, we are currently serving 58 youths between the ages 14 to 24 years old and 48 parents through the different program initiatives in the Youth Gang Violence Prevention project.

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES - HRSN- ODSH: Health Related Social Needs Services; Rental and Utility Assistance Referrals; WASHCO-CLACKAMAS COUNTY-TOBACCO; OHA LINES FOR LIFE/SUICIDE PREVENTION Real Time Payment Credit