New Orientation Program

Rochester Somali Community Centre (RSCC) is a Rochester Minnesota’s leading Somali education and youth development agency. We focus on building skills, creating safe spaces for young people to express themselves, and educating youth.

Education Program

RSCC) offers a range of education programming, including our Newcomer Academy, an innovative and effective in-school and afterschool program designed to help newly arrived refugee students. We help newcomer students learn English, acculturate to the United States, graduate from high school, and succeed in college and career. (RSCC)’s after school and summer programming serves youth at Mayo High School, Century High School, John Marshall High School, And Rochester Stem Academy. The programs help students “catch up” to the appropriate grade level and develop the leadership skills and cultural knowledge to be fully educated, engaged community members. Youths are provided with counseling, and access to trauma system therapyg safe spaces for young people to express themselves, and educating youth.

Post-resstlement Community Service

During the first 90 days after a refugee arrives in the United States, we are dedicated to helping refugees get established and off to a good start in their new home. We work closely with them to secure housing and find employment, enroll in school and English classes, connect to medical care, orient to their community and build bridges across cultures. In Rochester Minnesota, we also provide additional services to students to help them achieve school success and support refugees who have been victims of trafficking

Intensive Care Management (ICM) Program

This service provides assistance for refugees or secondary migrants who need additional help after the 90-day resettlement period. We connect refugees to a range of services, such as mental health counseling, employment services, assistance securing housing, mentoring and extended cultural orientation.

Employement Services & Training

We work with employers in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota to provide job placement and employment retention support to refugees and asylees who have been in the U.S. for less than five years.

Health Service Navigation

Rochester Somali Community Center (RSCC)’s MNsure Program connects with and educates uninsured Minnesotans about the importance of having health insurance and their options for obtaining coverage through MNsure. Staff also support the development of education and assist training materials for members of the Somali community and connect individuals and families to enrollment assistance. (RSCC)’s assists community members with questions related to the application and enrollment, including helping consumers maintain their health insurance coverage through changes in life events.

We also

: Help applicants with applications and renewals in Medical Assistance, Minnesota Care, and qualified health plans. Help clients understand the value of continuous health insurance through relatable examples from their community. Provide and reach community members through outreach and education activities; Provide in-person assistance that meets the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines related to worker and customer exposure to COVID-19; and Provide over-the-phone assistance for consumers who are unable to meet in person. The services are provided in the office and over-the-the phone.

Basic Adult Literacy

Rochester Somali Community Center (RSCC) offers free classes for adults. Our caring, patient staff can help you achieve your goal! Learn English; improve your reading, writing, or math skills; prepare for the GED exam; earn your adult diploma; learn alongside your children in family literacy; and gain skills and certificates for getting a job or promotion.

Legal Assitance Center

We provide affordable legal advice and representation to clients with civil legal needs. We cannot assist with any criminal or business matters. Case priorities are established to determine what type of cases are accepted. Rochester Somali Community Center (RSCC)’s Legal Center cannot provide legal assistance to every potential client. Our capacity is based on current staff, the number of volunteer attorneys we have, and how much time they have for new volunteer cases. We will tell every potential client whether we think we can help, and how long the wait might be. If we cannot help, we will provide a list of possible alternative resources. We focus on legal matters icluding Housing, eviction, Repair Issues, Security Deposits, Public/Subsidized Housing issues, Discrimination, Contract for Deed, Immigration, Asylum, Visas, Citizenship/Naturalization, Removal/Deportation, Adjustment of Status – Referral Only, Passport/Travel Documents, Family, Domestic/sexual violence issues, and Harassment/Order for Protection.

Drug Abuse With Education

We believe education and preventive measures are the most vital tools we have as a people in combating the radical effects of drugs. People are more prone to using opiates early on (early teens to late twenties) preventative measures are an incalculable beneficial effort to ensuring that the correct messaging about the negative effects of drugs reaches our youth before they succumb to the use of illicit drugs.Our Core program approach and strategy include

• Opioid Addiction Awareness

Increase the number of Somali Community leaders, community members, and community based organizations who are trained to Help For youth. Empowering Local Partners and organizations to build a collaborative approach to tackle the opioid crisis through community held town halls and events and other avenues of community engagement. Campaigns targeting Mosques, schools, and other public and private sectors of where we see a need and benefit for preventative measures. Provide wraparound services that includes but not limited to; housing, referring appropriate treatment services to individuals, mental health services, family engagement, and others for community members who are dealing with opioids.

• Safe Pathways

Reduce the rate of violence and conflict experienced by Somali community youth in Rochester Minnesota. 8 Trained community advocates supervise & de-escalate violence schedule contingent on the school's dismal times youth companionship assists school police & climate in partnership with The Rochester public schools.

Sports and Culture

The Youth Sports Department provides experiences to help kids develop new physical and social skills in a fun, participatory and safe environment guided by knowledgeable and supportive coaches. Youth Sports programs contribute to your child’s physical, social, emotional, cultural and educational growth and development. Sports leagues give your child an opportunity to participate At Rochester Somali Community Center (RSCC)’s we organize sports and cultural events aimed at bringing together the youth and encourage peace and integration, Soccer tournaments Rochester Somali Community Center (RSCC)’s will arrange for tournaments to play for peace. Sporting activities normally unite youth and communities. In the world of today sports i.e. soccer is at the heart of the youth. It is the spirit of times. Therefore, the organization will carry sport for peace projects in Rochester Minnesota.

Youth Leadership and Engagement

Using the arts, health science and personal development practices, our award-winning program engages immigrant youth in ways that are often lacking in traditional school settings. Participants develop healthy lifestyles, leadership skills and social-emotional wellbeing, achieve academic success, and foster intergenerational relationships as they work to help transform the community around them. A strong sense of family and community connectedness is created, and program graduates often return as volunteers, mentors and staff. For many youths, this is one of the few safe spaces for them to explore their interests and develop their innate talents.