Somalis Succeed in Moving off Welfare
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:19 pm
Somalis succeed in moving off welfare
By Heather J. Carlson
The Post-Bulletin
Saturday, February 03, 2007
When Abdifatah Adbinur and his family immigrated to Rochester in 1995, the Somali teenager spoke no English and had never seen snow.
During the first year, his family received public assistance, and Abdinur said he can still remember the "embarrassment" of having to use food stamps.
"Somali men and women like to be independent," Abdinur said.
Twelve years later, the 28-year-old speaks fluent English, is pursuing a bachelor's degree at Rochester Community and Technical College and works full time as a staff organizer for Local 21 union.
"All these experiences you have definitely motivate you," he said. "You can't lay back and say it's going to be OK."
Research by state officials shows that Somali immigrants have made big strides since 2000 in moving off welfare.
A report found that 75 percent of Somalis statewide had either moved off welfare or were working in Olmsted County even higher, with more than 83 percent of Somalis considered successful.
"Somalis are coming in with significant barriers, so the fact that they are becoming self-sufficient is a testament to their determination," said Kristy Arend, development director for the Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association, a Rochester nonprofit agency that assists immigrants.
But the study also highlights the struggles of other racial and ethnic groups to move off welfare. Statewide, success rates for U.S.-born blacks and American Indians hover at 58 percent.
____Picks to MN Somalis
By Heather J. Carlson
The Post-Bulletin
Saturday, February 03, 2007
When Abdifatah Adbinur and his family immigrated to Rochester in 1995, the Somali teenager spoke no English and had never seen snow.
During the first year, his family received public assistance, and Abdinur said he can still remember the "embarrassment" of having to use food stamps.
"Somali men and women like to be independent," Abdinur said.
Twelve years later, the 28-year-old speaks fluent English, is pursuing a bachelor's degree at Rochester Community and Technical College and works full time as a staff organizer for Local 21 union.
"All these experiences you have definitely motivate you," he said. "You can't lay back and say it's going to be OK."
Research by state officials shows that Somali immigrants have made big strides since 2000 in moving off welfare.
A report found that 75 percent of Somalis statewide had either moved off welfare or were working in Olmsted County even higher, with more than 83 percent of Somalis considered successful.
"Somalis are coming in with significant barriers, so the fact that they are becoming self-sufficient is a testament to their determination," said Kristy Arend, development director for the Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association, a Rochester nonprofit agency that assists immigrants.
But the study also highlights the struggles of other racial and ethnic groups to move off welfare. Statewide, success rates for U.S.-born blacks and American Indians hover at 58 percent.
____Picks to MN Somalis
A mother with 2 kids might get benefit for 4 kids. Or a regular Farax might get benefits for himself and a guy that doesn't exists