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When you build your home away from home |
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By Nahla Kayali, IFN Guest Columnist
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Tuesday, 12 January 2010 |
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Page 2 of 2
Access California Services (AccessCal) took on the role to document the needs of the Muslim and Arab communities in southern California. This intensive needs assessment became a resource to help us determine more effective ways on serving individuals and families who are facing hardship more effectively. AccessCal was able to undertake this project through the funding of the Children & Families Commission of Orange County to conduct face-to-face interviews with more than 200 families and with the community’s civic and religious leadership.
I would like to share the results of this study:
Health Access
Free or low cost clinics: 37%
Child health services: 46%
Adult health services: 39%
Health education: 23%
Nutrition services: 67%
Social Services
Social services: 41%
Welfare: 12%
Food stamps: 11%
Job Development
Job search assistance: 50%
Job counseling: 19%
Job placement: 37%
How to keep a job: 17%
Resumes: 33%
Counseling Children: 57%
Family: 62%
Domestic violence: 20%
Parenting classes: 20%
Education
ESL: 68%
Vocational school: 23%
Housing
Shelter: 14%
Rental assistance: 48%
Daycare
School readiness: 33%
Low-cost: 39%
After school youth programs: 37%
Immigration
Information on new laws: 51%
Citizenship classes: 57%
Referrals and services: 33%
Disability
Services: 26%
Senior services program: 15%
Vocational training: 9%
Housing: 19%
Translation
Arabic: 54%
Urdu: 20%
Other: 26%
Miscellaneous
Food banks: 23%
Available gift items: 19%
Thrift stores: 12%
Furniture: 15%
Clothing: 14%
AccessCal is structuring its programs and services in a way to meet the identified needs listed above. However, it will take a lot of time and support in order to successfully meet the challenges our communities face.
Most individuals within our communities shy away from asking for help, and many do not trust government agencies due to their past experiences back home or in the United States.
There’s also the prevailing belief that one’s struggles should remain within the private realm. AccessCal’s board of directors, its staff, and volunteers are working very hard to overcome these barriers to help individuals and families within our communities receive the help they need in order to help make their lives one of comfort in the United States.
This column will be dedicated to discussing the many challenges our fellow brothers and sisters face while settling in southern California, but, more importantly, I will share stories of success and triumph as they overcome the many barriers that exist today.
Contact the columnist at
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 April 2010 )
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