This area of work has been a consistent focus since the first voter participation project in 2002 in which 800 Somali were registered to vote and we initiated the first ever public meeting in Somali with senatorial candidates Paul Wellstone and Norm Coleman.
Since then, every election year has provided SAA an opportunity to increase Somali participation in the electoral system thereby increasing our social capital in relationship to public decision making and democracy.
Our voter engagement work has been strengthened through partnerships. In the last three years, SAA developed and implemented a Somali-language training program on civic convening. Over 100 leaders attended the first three trainings and we continue to engage the attendees in leadership and action in the organization.
In 2008, our goal was to engage 80% of the Somali citizens living in Minnesota. We have identified nearly 22,000 citizens and have populated the data for the best access of our resources. We are supporting current leaders in the community and expanding leadership development programs for emerging youth and adult leaders to step into public life with others.
Approximately 75 Somali leaders statewide convene quarterly to discuss crucial issues, develop leadership, and involve stakeholders in action to achieve positive changes. SAA’s organizing philosophy is grounded in the principals of building leadership and “giving back” to the community our cultural values of personal responsibility and social justice.
Our intent has always been to encourage, educate and involve Somali-American citizens in improving conditions for the entire community.
In the last three years, we have also engaged Somali people living in the Cedar Riverside area of Minneapolis around light rail and community safety. Both of these issues touch these families’ lives every day. We successfully worked with a broad coalition to locate a light rail stop in the neighborhood and are currently working with several Minneapolis neighborhood groups around specific safety issues.
A big piece in the next year is to focus on making positive changes in the juvenile justice, education and social service systems that currently are having a detrimental impact on Somali youth and their families.
