PROGRAMS
Services that we provide
Initially, the Oromo Community of Minnesota (OCM) serves as a one-stop resource center for the over 40,000 Oromo-Americans in the Twin Cities. OCM’s core programs include: OCM provide multi social service for the community. Our social service is included but not limited in helping people in housing, health insurance, school navigation, and immigration service.
In this program the community members receive multi social services that includes but not limited to case management, immigration & naturalization service, applying for affordable housing and other benefits. Interpretation & translation, transportation service and referrals are other services we provide for newly arriving refugee and immigrants and Asylum seekers.
- Case management
- Immigration & naturalization
- Applying for public benefit
- Community service
Health & Wellness
Health education program an outreach program that connects clients with resources and advocates prevention and provides community-wide health literacy education. The staff assists clients in the health insurance enrollment process and referrals.
Employment counseling
The OCM Employment counselor assists the unemployed community members in achieving economic self-sufficiency through employment service by outlining key objectives, including Job counseling, skill-building, exploring career paths, and enhancing job retention support. The employment counselor prepared a resume, search for a potential employer, and help in the application process. He creates a partnership with local employment agencies and facilitating successful job placements.
Youth development
The youth program is one of the significant programs stated in the mission of the community program. The youth coordinator works with the Oromo youth Association to assist students in the learning plan, tutoring, and school attendance to increase the number of Oromo graduates from high school and college. Youth empowering for leadership training and cultural education is practiced at large in the youth program
Senior Program
The OCM’s Elder Services has a goal of enhancing the capacity Oromo and Ethiopian elders ages 50+ (and their family caregivers) to sustain independent community living. Key objectives of this effort include:
- Identifying and enrolling elders of East Africans who genuinely need support to maintain independent living;
- determining what public benefits elders might be eligible for and assisting them in securing these benefits;
- Increasing home and community-based services support capacity through the utilization of elder companion volunteers;
- Increasing adult caregiver’s skill competency and confidence in caring for elderly parents; and
- Increasing elders’ access to supplementary support services. Helping elders in adjusting their immigration status and social security benefits application.
- Reduces the elder’s isolation and create a socializing environment for the elders.
Community Events
OCM fulfills an important role as a convener and host to numerous meetings, cultural events, celebrations to strengthen the cohesion of the community. OCM’s annual 4th of July picnic brings together over 3,500. The annual Oromo graduates’ celebration brings together over 400 Oromo graduate students from high schools, collage and universities in the state of Minnesota. participate at annual Minnesota Festival of nation and shows Oromo and Oromo culture.
Building service
OCM provides building services for the African community living in the Twin Cities metro area for community gathering, baby shower, couple engagement, and many other events.
Interlocutor
OCM is the primary interlocutor on behalf of Oromo immigrants with federal, state, country, and city governments as well as employers.