AMANI WOMEN CENTER

Our organization aims to empower refugee families with life skills and work skills that empower them to be productive members of their families and their communities. The supplementary income of contractual work from our sewing program enables these women to sustain their respective homes and ultimately leads to self-sufficiency and their wellbeing.

• Providing linguistically appropriate services and programs.
• Providing culturally appropriate health and life skills workshops.
• Providing culturally sensitive education and counseling.
Additional Goals:-
1. Provide emotional support and continuous wellbeing of program participants
2. Respond to crisis calls from our helpline.
3. Collect information, and assist with translation and interpretation when and where needed.
4. Answer questions and provide resources and referrals based on client needs.
5. Follow up with clients and provide additional referrals as needed.

• Our staff is representative of the different ethnicities that we serve and are well versed in the cultural nuances.
• Our staff is bicultural and multi-lingual.
• Our staff is highly credentialed in the different services that we provide.
• Our organization provides a safe space in the hub of the community thus is easily accessible.
Amani Women Center (AWC) have been very successful in responding to the needs of the refugee community using a very innovative approach. We have created a safe space where refugee women can meet daily to learn sewing skills as well experience comradeship and intimate conversations in informal group therapy sessions. These sewing circles have evolved over time to address emotional needs of the women using culturally sensitive tools. We have groomed a team of community ambassadors that are multilingual who are trusted voices that help the women navigate various resources to get the help need when faced with difficulties addressing various health disparities and challenges. This background uniquely positions AWC to respond to needs that exist as a result of serving this unique population.

• We have implemented a helpline to accommodate the growing needs in the community. Most of the needs were Covid-19 emergencies such rent and utilities assistance.
• Provided support for over 1,200 beneficiaries. Helped 800 families avoid evictions and utility termination.
• Mobilized and interviewed by phone over 500 refugees for Women Health Needs Study. Increased applications for welfare benefits, increased Covid awareness, testing, hygiene, and vaccines.
• We see the impact every day, by the end of 2020-2021, we served over 55 women, 24 graduated from the program and were awarded new sewing machines. We presented these proud resilient women, each with a certificate of completion. As these women have gained employment and shared their success with similar women the demand for our services continues to increase. The majority of the women have started their own home business, others are doing contractual piece work from home, and some are training to become instructors at AWC. 85% of the women report they have improved their speaking and personal coping skills as a result of education and working with our program. 80% of the women report they have achieved a level of economic security through achieving their personal goals for training, employment, and/or starting a business.
• We have also expanded the sewing academy to add 28 new students and are planning on adding 30 more by 2022.
• In response to Covid-19, AWC had to pivot and provide more direct services. Covid-19 emergency assistance and related support services. Connecting refugees to resources such as Covid-19 testing centers, food delivery, rent and utility assistance, processing Medicaid, and SNAP applications.
• AWC initiated a Covid-19 emergency fund under the Healthy Families Program in response to the needs of the community and program participants. Conducted numerous vaccine awareness events, campaigns, and distributed essentials such as diapers, wipes, hygiene supplies, food, sanitizers, and facial masks.
• Established a helpline in 10 different languages that community members can dial into and get help navigating the numerous resources available. This is supported by AWC Community Ambassadors. Mothers and program participants receive vital public health information and advice from voices they trust and in languages, they could understand.
• AWC educated and emphasized the importance of wearing masks, washing hands, and social distancing. Culturally tailored and linguistically appropriate messaging on covid-19 prevention. PSA's were presented via various messaging platforms. Flyers were designed and translated in over 10 different languages. AWC Ambassadors offered interpretation and information on screening sites, symptoms to look for, measures to take if confirmed positive, and where to get help.
• AWC administered emergency funding from the City of Clarkston for childcare services. AWC ambassadors assisted the qualified qualified recipients.