ABDIRIZAK BIHI

• Summary:

Passionate and dedicated community advocate who co-established SESAC, a vital resource dedicated to providing social services, civic engagement, and advocacy for the Somali communities in Minnesota. Proven commitment to addressing social issues and fostering a deeper understanding of these challenges.

Experience:

Co-Founder and Director[SESAC - Somali Social Services, Civic Engagement, and Advocacy Center] [Location] [Dates of Establishment]

• Collaborated with a group of community members to co-establish SESAC, a grassroots organization designed to address the social service needs and civic engagement of the Somali communities in Minnesota.
• Developed and implemented a wide range of social services, including access to healthcare, education, job placement, and legal assistance, to support the well-being and empowerment of community members.
• Facilitated various programs and initiatives aimed at promoting civic engagement, voter registration, and community participation in local and state affairs.
• Conducted educational workshops and awareness campaigns to enhance the understanding of social issues affecting the Somali community and advocated for their resolution.
• Built strong relationships with local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and key stakeholders to secure resources and support for SESAC's initiatives.
• Played an instrumental role in raising awareness about the challenges faced by the Somali communities and advocating for positive change through legislative and community-based efforts.

Key Achievements:

• Successfully established SESAC as a reputable organization providing vital social services and empowering the Somali community to engage actively in civic affairs.
• Promoted social issues understanding and advocacy, contributing to positive change and improved living conditions for community members.

Skills:

• Community Advocacy
• Social Services Coordination
• Civic Engagement Initiatives
• Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Grassroots Organizational Development
• Education and Workshops
• Resource Mobilization and Fundraising

This resume statement showcases your co-founding and leadership role in establishing SESAC and your dedication to serving the Somali communities in Minnesota. It emphasizes your achievements in providing social services, promoting civic engagement, and advocating for social issues understanding within the community.

• Collaborated with Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis, nonprofit agencies, and businesses to develop tailored outreach and engagement strategies targeting Somali and East African communities in Minnesota.
• Conducted extensive research to understand the unique cultural, linguistic, and social needs of the target population and translated this knowledge into actionable recommendations.
• Designed and executed outreach programs and campaigns to connect organizations with Somali and East African clients, employees, patients, and residents, ensuring culturally sensitive and effective communication.
• Assisted thousands of families and individuals into housing.
• Provided consultancy services to enhance organizational diversity and inclusion efforts, fostering a welcoming and equitable environment for Somali and East African individuals.
• Established strong relationships with community leaders, local organizations, and cultural influencers to build trust and facilitate meaningful engagement.
• Monitored and evaluated the impact of outreach efforts, tracking key performance indicators to ensure the successful integration of services and resources.

Key Achievements:

• Successfully improved accessibility and engagement for Somali and East African clients, leading to increased utilization of services by the target population.
• Supported businesses in building diverse teams and implementing culturally sensitive workplace practices, resulting in higher employee satisfaction and retention rates.
• Played a crucial role in enhancing the capacity of nonprofit agencies to better serve the needs of the Somali and East African community.

Skills:

• Cultural Competency
• Community Engagement
• Outreach Program Development
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Consultancy Services
• Relationship Building
• Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
• Multilingual Proficiency (if applicable)

Led and supervised the enumeration of the African immigrant community statewide, implementing strategies to overcome cultural and language barriers and ensure an accurate representation of the community.
Developed and executed outreach programs to engage African immigrants, fostering trust, and ensuring their active participation in the census process.
Implemented innovative communication strategies, including translation services and culturally sensitive materials, to facilitate accurate and comprehensive responses.
Achieved unprecedented census turnouts in 2000 and replicated success in 2020, where our efforts contributed significantly to Minnesota gaining an additional congressional seat over New York.
Collaborated with community leaders, organizations, and stakeholders to build partnerships and enhance the effectiveness of outreach initiatives.
Conducted training sessions to educate enumerators on cultural nuances, ensuring respectful and accurate interactions with the African immigrant population.

Key Achievements:

Spearheaded census efforts that led to record-breaking turnouts, establishing a benchmark for future enumeration efforts.
Played a key role in Minnesota winning an additional congressional seat in 2020, showcasing the impact of effective immigrant outreach on political representation.
Education:

Skills.
Community Outreach and Engagement
Census Enumeration Supervision
Cultural Competency and Sensitivity
Language Barrier Removal
Partnership Building
Training and Development
Data Analysis and Reporting
Congressional Representation Impact
This resume statement emphasizes your leadership in achieving successful census turnouts and highlights the significant impact of your efforts on Minnesota's political representation in the 2020 census.

Summary:

Dedicated professional with a strong passion for youth development and community engagement. Proficient in organizing and leading youth leaders, sports coaches, and afterschool providers to create positive and enriching programs for young individuals. Demonstrated success in securing resources and raising bikes and helmets for the benefit of Cedar Riverside Youth.

Experience:

Orchestrated and led a team of youth leaders, soccer and basketball coaches, and afterschool providers to design and implement engaging and constructive youth programs.

• Collaborated with coaches and providers to develop age-appropriate activities, sports training sessions, and educational initiatives, fostering physical, mental, and social growth among youth.
• Ensured the safety and well-being of participants by implementing relevant safety protocols and guidelines.
• Actively engaged with parents, guardians, and community members to promote program participation and garner community support.
• Successfully fundraised and secured bikes and helmets for Cedar Riverside Youth, enhancing their accessibility to recreational activities and promoting safety.

Key Achievements:

• Empowered youth to build essential life skills, sportsmanship, and leadership qualities through structured and positive programming.
• Raised significant resources, including bikes and helmets, which contributed to the overall well-being and enjoyment of Cedar Riverside Youth.

Skills:

• Youth Program Coordination
• Sports Coaching and Training
• Fundraising and Resource Mobilization
• Community Engagement
• Safety and Well-being Protocols
• Leadership and Team Building
• Event Planning and Coordination
• Youth Development Principles

• Served as a liaison between the Somali community and Hennepin County's departments
• Connected Somali-speaking clients with county departments and conducted community outreach.
• Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
• Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
• Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
• Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.

• Suggested new positive changes to increase patient contacts and reduce missed appointments
• Created and ran a Somali Line to remind patients about appointments
• Educated Somali patients about time format differences
• Trained interpreters, social workers, and hospital staff about Somali culture and healthcare.