This group grew out of in-person conversations among many Somali women living in the Tri-County area, buoyed by passion for grass roots organizing, The simple agenda was to galvanize, empower and mobilize Somali women by creating a space that brings Somali women together to meet, connect and share successes and to support each other. A platform to get the knowledge, support and effective life skills that promote healthy behaviors, personal well-being and fulfillment. To engage in smart and mindful conversations about family, work, other issues and leadership capabilities. This group is supported (by donating a space to meet) by the Pan African Festival of Oregon, a nonprofit organization that focuses on improving the economic successes of the black community in Oregon. But rather, we are a grass roots group that supports all Somali community based organizations and future and existing groups equally. We are also a group that carries out projects in partnership with community-based organizations and groups, especially projects that improves the social determinants of health for Somali women and their families, such as the driver’s ed project. Projects are identified by group consensus and based on individual and group capacity. We succeed as a group or fail as a group that is our motto. Group Outcomes
• Expanded community networks - Meaningful relationships based on trust and goodwill
• Individual skill building with motivation to implement change
• Heightened self-awareness - The unforgettable experience
Future Meetings
We meet every third Saturday of every month at 5pm at the Pan African Festival Office in Downtown. Address: Pioneer Place Mall, 700 SW 5th Ave, Portland. Contact
For more information please contact Nafisa Fai 503-752-2102
Group Mission
Our mission is to educate and empower Somali women with the skills and confidence necessary to get a job, maintain a healthy lifestyle and economically thrive. Values
• Promote positive representation of Islamic values
• Foster a sense of responsibility as Muslims
• Respect for human dignity of persons
• Justice for all
• Appreciation for different personalities
• Belief in democracy and participation of persons in all areas that impact their lives
• Basic appreciation for the spirituality of each person, which nourishes her aspirations
Agreements
• We will foster empowerment within our community and each other
• We will start and end our meetings on time
• We will respect one another and our differences
• We will honor each person’s unique gifts
• We will promote inclusiveness
• We will include every voice
• Everyone will be provided with an opportunity to contribute
• Quieter members are given a chance to voice their opinions.
• The more talkative members of the team should show a little restraint and listen to others.
• Only one person is allowed to speak at a time.
• If you wish to speak you should raise your hand and wait your turn.
• If you wish to speak you should raise your hand and wait your turn.
• We will respect each other’s opinions and ideas even if we don’t agree with them.
• Anything discussed during meetings will remain confidential – none of this should be repeated outside of meetings.
• We will guide all agreements by our mission and core values
• We will keep each other accountable in a positive, compassionate manner
• We will initiate and value difficult conversations
• We will bring core values into practice in our daily lives
