Southwest Somali Community
Mission is to “settle the past, engage the present, and hope for the future.”
Better Life For People
Help today because tomorrow you may be the one who needs helping! Forget what you can get and see what you can give.
Better Life For People
Mission is to “settle the past, engage the present, and hope for the future.”
Better Life For People.
Help today because tomorrow you may be the one who needs helping! Forget what you can get and see what you can give.
Who We Are
Since our founding, SWSC has evolved into a trusted, culturally specific social service agency addressing the holistic needs of Oregon’s immigrant and refugee communities. Today, we proudly serve all community members—immigrants, refugees, and mainstream residents alike—through integrated programs designed to promote education, health, self-sufficiency, and civic engagement.
Our staff includes an Executive Director, four full-time employees, and three part-time caseworkers and outreach workers—each bringing lived experience and deep cultural understanding of the communities we serve.
To create a vibrant, inclusive Oregon where Somali and East African immigrants and refugees are fully empowered to reach their potential, contribute to society, and preserve their cultural identity while thriving in their new home.
• To provide accessible social services that address the immediate and long-term needs of immigrant and refugee families.
• To promote education, workforce readiness, and youth leadership through culturally relevant programs.
• To strengthen family relationships, mental well-being, and community cohesion.
• To advocate for equitable access to opportunities and resources across cultural and economic lines.
• To foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration within Oregon’s multicultural communities.
We Are In A Mission To Help The Helpless
Southwest Somali Community was established February of 2016 to meet the needs of Oregon’s growing East African Community in Oregon. What would eventually become a social service agency. The agency staff consists of an executive Director, Four full time and three-part time case workers / Outreach staff.
Southwest Somali Community is a non-profit and non-political organization striving to assist East African people living in Oregon originally especially newly arrived refugees in Oregon by providing advice, information, guidance and education for young people. However, we have diversified in response to issues identified to accommodate the needs of all sections of the Somali Community as a dedicated and specialist group.
Environment
Southwest Somali Community is Environment The Southwest Somali Community is dedicated to environmental oversight. Our program focuses on community clean-ups and green spaces. We conduct education programs, promote energy efficiency, and urge for tree planting and green infrastructure. Collaborating with environmental organizations, we aim to create a sustainable, adaptable community for generations
Healthy Food
Embracing a holistic approach to community well-being, the Southwest Somali Community is committed to developing healthier lifestyles through our comprehensive Healthy & Food program. Our goal is not only to provide access to nutritious food options but also to allow individuals and families to make informed choices for their long-term health.
Education,
Education - SOWESCO hosts a variety of education classes for individuals and families for their benefit. Classes include health related topics (such as communicable diseases, vaccines, mental health, tobacco cessation, and physical activity and nutrition); gang violence prevention; public benefits; and cultural assimilation. These classes are hosted as workshops throughout the year at our East Portland center. They are put on by organization staff and local experts who are invited in to share their knowledge,
Health Care,
In firm belief that access to healthcare is an elemental right, the Southwest Somali Community is committed to community well-being by securing access to medical facilities and promoting health awareness through community involvement,
Lets Chenge The World With Humanity
Popular Causes What You Should Know
Why Your Support Matters
Your support helps ensure that vulnerable families, elders, and youth have access to housing assistance, food, education, and community. When you give, you help create safety and opportunity for those who might otherwise be left behind.Help today so that tomorrow everyone has the support they need.Give what you can so our community can thrive.”
Your support helps ensure that vulnerable families, elders, and youth have access to housing assistance, food, education, and community. When you give, you help create safety and opportunity for those who might otherwise be left behind.
Youth Programs
Our organization works to build community and provide avenues to keep bring youth together in order to keep them occupied and out of trouble. Over the past year we have hosted a basketball tournament at Lents Park in Portland and an indoor soccer tou...
Solutions
To address the struggles of the Somali Community in the Portland metro area, Southwest Somali Community, currently serves the community through a variety of services, children and youth programs, senior programs, health and educational courses and wo...
Providing Healthy Food for the children
Healthy & Food Introduction: Embracing a holistic approach to community well-being, the South West Somali Community is committed to developing healthier lifestyles through our comprehensive Healthy & Food program.
Our Sowesco Programs
Our ProgramsSouthwest Somali Community currently offers the following core programs:Environment & community clean?ups
Our environmental initiatives focus on neighborhood clean?ups, green spaces, and education on energy efficiency, tree planting, and green infrastructure in partnership with local organizations
Our Healthy Food program improves access to nutritious foods and supports families to make informed choices for long?term health through distribution, education, and community partnerships
• Education workshops
We host education workshops on health topics (such as communicable diseases, vaccines, mental health, tobacco cessation, and physical activity and nutrition), gang violence prevention, public benefits, and cultural adjustment. Workshops are offered year?round at our East Portland center by staff and invited local experts.
Health access & navigation
Believing that access to healthcare is a basic right, we help community members connect to medical providers, understand health systems, and receive accurate, culturally appropriate health information
• Employment support
We help immigrants and refugees build healthy, stable working families through workshops, outreach, and referrals related to employment and workplace rights.
Our environmental initiatives focus on neighborhood clean?ups, green spaces, and education on energy efficiency, tree planting, and green infrastructure in partnership with local organizations
We host education workshops on health topics (such as communicable diseases, vaccines, mental health, tobacco cessation, and physical activity and nutrition), gang violence prevention, public benefits, and cultural adjustment. Workshops are offered year?round at our East Portland center by staff and invited local experts.
Believing that access to healthcare is a basic right, we help community members connect to medical providers, understand health systems, and receive accurate, culturally appropriate health information
We help immigrants and refugees build healthy, stable working families through workshops, outreach, and referrals related to employment and workplace rights.
COVID-19 Support Service
Providing healthy marriage training, family unity, newcomer services, resource navigation, and community awareness,
Employment
Helping Oregon's immigrants and refugees build healthy working families through workshops, education, outreach, and intervention,
Youth Programs
Ensuring East African youth receive a quality education, mastering obstacles through mentoring, tutoring, advocacy, and after-school activities,
Youth Programs
Ensuring East African youth receive a quality education, mastering obstacles through mentoring, tutoring, advocacy, and after-school activities,
Upcoming Events
Welcome to the Southwest Somali Community, a non-profit organization assisting Somali people and immigrants. Established in 2016, we strive to improve the lives of vulnerable populations by providing advice, information, guidance, and education. We invest in the children, youth, families, and elders through culturally and linguistically specific social services.
Annual Celebrations
- 16:15 - 20:21
- Portland OR USA
Mark your calendars for our annual celebrations that bring the community together in joyous festivities.
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Educational Seminars/ And Youth Programs,
- 12:19 - 16:23
- Portland OR USA
Empower yourself with knowledge through our educational discussion. Covering a range of topics..
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Community Gatherings
- 12:00 - 16:30
- Portland OR USA
Join us for yearly community gatherings that provide a platform for connection, conversation, and celebration.
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