Abdi grew up in Somalia. Over the past two decades, Somalia has experienced violent civil war, political upheaval and severe economic problems. Abdi was forced to seek safety in another country because he consistently feared for his life. He and his family fled to Nairobi, Kenya where they lived for many years before his daughter filed for them to come to the United States.
As a family of 12, they needed many services when they arrived during the winter of 2006. Refugee Services immediately provided Abdi’s family with grant money, winter clothing and bedding. The family found a suitable house, enrolled in cash assistance programs and attended Cultural Orientation classes at MCC. The older members of the family, including Abdi, began taking ESL classes at a community center and looking for places to work. Abdi attended a Job Success Workshop and received employment counseling here at the Minnesota Council of Churches. Abdi wrote resumes, practiced filling out job applications and developed interview skills.
Within the first few months in Minnesota, he received a job offer from Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis! He began working there and picked up extra work driving for a taxi service. His wife also hired quickly and worked for an accessibility company. Abdi recently reported that those of his children who are old enough to be working are all employed. The rest are enrolled in school, with one currently attending college. He also commented that he was very satisfied with the assistance that Refugee Services gave his family during the hard transition to a new culture, stating that “they helped us a lot.” Abdi still keeps in touch with many of the workers here at MCC and often calls with many different questions. When asked about his new life in America, he said “we are happy to be here.”
* The client's name has been changed for the sake of privacy |
