.jpg)
About Us
About Us
The Somali American United Council of Arizona is a non-profit organization. It was founded in 2006 by Dr. Mohamed Ali Abukar in response to the growing need to connect multi-ethnic refugee communities in Arizona with each other and the rest of the American society.
The Somali American United Council of Arizona fills a critical need in Maricopa County helping newly arrived refugee families adjust to their new lives, location, language and culture.
The Somali American United Council of Arizona exists to promote better understanding between the multi-ethnic refugee community and other American communities and to find solutions to the challenges refugees face throughout the resettlement process.
By building a structure of best practices, the Somali American United Council of Arizona serves as a model for other non-profit organizations working with refugee communities and immigrant populations. The Somali American United Council of Arizona collaborates with other ethnic community based organizations to find together solutions that address cultural barriers and emotional trauma that refugees face throughout the resettlement process.
Mission
Mission
To guide the multi-ethnic community of refugees to better integrate into the mainstream American society while preserving their own culture.
Vision
To become a premier institution that provides high quality services to the Multi-ethnic Refugee Community in Arizona and prepare individuals to achieve self-sufficiency and become law abiding citizens with great patriotism.
SAUC Leadership
Top Management
​
​
Dr. Mohamed Ali Abukar
Founder/President/CEO
Dr. Abukar established the Somali-American United Council in 2006 to respond to the needs of unity and collaboration among multi-ethnic refugees in Arizona.
In addition to being the President/CEO of our organization, he is also an adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University and Utah State University. He has a Doctorate in Public Administration from the Pacific W. University in Hawaii and a two Masters Degrees in Journalism and Management from Italy.
Jack Salvatore
Governing Board Chair
​
Shannon Reber
Executive Assistant CEO
Executive Office Administrator & Financial Controller
Shannon Started in our organization in 2019 as an intern from BYU Idaho. She has a bachelors in Marriage and Family Studies.
In her own words:
"Refugees need our help. They need our connections, our knowledge, and our experiences, but especially they need our love."
SAUC Supervisory Team
Judith Ann Bulsiewicz
Vice President for General Services
Immigration Project Manager
Literacy Coordinator
Sadiki Ikyebwe
First Vice President for Community Affairs- Lingala, French, and Swahili Speakers
Case Manager & Interpreter for Swahili, French, and Lingala
Adan Samantar
Vice President for Community Affairs-Arabic, Amharic, and Somali Speakers
Adan arrived in the United States as a refugee in 2011 and started working in our center immediately. His passion is working with the new American Community and especially enjoys working with the youth. Adan speaks Somali, English, and Swahili.
Ilyas Sheikh Mohamed
Vice President for Youth Development & Enrichment Program
Ilyas arrived in the United States in 2006 and started working at the SAUC as a volunteer and now is a very dedicated Case Manager and Community Relations Vice-President. He is very dedicated in finding solutions to the challenges our refugees clients face. He speaks Somali, English, and Amharic.
Ilyas is also the President of the Nurulhuda Islamic Center of Arizona. Helping others is always my passion.
Support Team
Yasmin Ahmed
Housing Coordinator
Case Manager
Interpreter for Somali
Yasmin has been a role model and a true ambassador for refugee women in our area. She is dedicated to the education of women and children and is also a great problem solver in the area of housing. Her knowledge of the housing system is unmatched.
Yasmin.Ahmed@somaliunitedcouncil.org
​
Mohamed Immaan
Case Manager for Housing
Interpreter for Somali, English and Arabic.
Mohamed is an activist and a father; he is trusted, valuable, compassionate, and likes teamwork.
Mohamed started working at the SAUC in 2012.
He is very dedicated to helping refugees.
​
.jpg)
Madina Wali Zada
Case Manager
Interpreter for Dari, Pashto, Farsi, and Russian
Deputy Project Manager for ASA Immigration Services
Abdallah Yousef
Youth Program Manager
Case Manager
Interpreter for Somali and Arabic
Abdallah is a dedicated case manager that is persistent and does not rest until finding solutions for our clients. He is always positive and always optimistic about the future.
Hawo Abdi
Hygiene & Preschool
Muhiyadin Hassan
Security
Muhiyadin supports our organization providing supervision and safety in our facilities. He is our eyes and ears to keep our facilities safe. When you arrive in our facilities, he will greet you with a smile, and will ask you to sign-in.
Halima Mohamed
Janitorial Services
Leila Al Hishan
Case Manager
Interpreter for Arabic
_edited.jpg)
Gunn McKay
Case Manager for immigration Services
Frozan Kamalzada
Case Manager
Interpreter for Dari & Pashto
Deputy Project Manager for ASA Supplemental Services Grant
Legal Team
Adelayo Law Firm, PLLC
Adelayo and his office have assisted with our immigration applications. He comes to our center to train on the USCIS forms
https://adelayopersonalinjury.com/
​
Jack Salvatore
Attorney & Legal Advisor
Gunn Mckay
Attorney & Legal Advisor
Current Volunteers
Service Missionaries from
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints
Early Literacy Volunteer Teacher
Early Literacy Volunteer Teacher
Advanced English Teacher
Sewing Class Volunteers
Citizenship Class Volunteer Teacher
Testimonials
Testimonials
"The case managers and volunteers of this organization are helping achieve my goals here in America. I attended English classes and Citizenship and Naturalization classes for two years and now I am an American citizen! I am very happy. Now they are helping me prepare to take English classes in a community college. My goal is to become a teacher and I know that with their help, I will achieve this dream. Thank you!
Faiza Ali
Faiza Ali
Local Client from Somalia
Aliyou Babari
Aliyou Babari
Local Client from Central Africa
"The Somali-American United Council workers have supported me and my family with job searching, job applications, housing issues, English classes and cultural adaptation trainings. I feel that I have a place to go for support when I am facing a challenge. I can always find somebody here that can give me guidance.
Thank you! "
​
Habiba Mahamoud
Habiba Mahamoud
Local Client from Sudan
My family has received a lot of support from the Somali-American United Council since we arrived here from Sudan. I have participated in English classes and women empowerment classes as well. My children have benefited from the Leaders for Life program, summer school tutoring, and the FBI Teen Academy. I am thankful for all their support!
TAXES DOCUMENTS
TAXES DOCUMENTS
