By Osman A Hassan

In a world filled with barriers, inequalities, and systemic neglect, the adage “where there is a will, there is a way” has never rung truer than in the story of Isuroon, a Minnesota-based community service organization that exemplifies resilience, self-determination, and transformative action. Founded with the unwavering belief that East African communities deserve equitable access to opportunity, dignity, and voice, Isuroon stands as a beacon of hope. The organization was born out of the recognition that too many in the East African community, especially Somali women, face insurmountable challenges navigating healthcare systems, achieving economic stability, accessing civic life, and protecting their well-being. Yet through vision, commitment, and the power of community, Isuroon has proven that change is not only possible, but also inevitable when people refuse to be ignored.

In the heart of Minnesota, amidst one of the largest and most resilient East African populations in the United States, stands Isuroon, a community-based nonprofit organization driven by an unwavering commitment to uplift, empower, and serve. Rooted in the Somali word “Isuroon,” which means “a woman who takes care of herself,” the organization embodies the strength, dignity, and self-reliance of the women and families it serves. Since its inception, Isuroon has become an essential pillar for immigrant and refugee communities, particularly Somali women and youth, offering holistic, culturally competent services across a spectrum of needs: health access, economic empowerment, civic engagement, youth development, and housing stabilization. What distinguishes Isuroon is its deeply rooted approach that centers community voices, respects cultural heritage, and tackles systemic barriers head-on while promoting individual and collective agency.

The mission of Isuroon focuses on supporting East African Communities in overcoming the multi-layered challenges that come with immigration, language and cultural barriers, healthcare inaccessibility, economic hardship, and social isolation. However, this mission is far from narrow in scope. It expands to embrace a much wider community need, serving East African youth, men, families, and elders, fostering resilience, advocacy, and prosperity. Through its comprehensive services, Isuroon does not simply offer aid; it builds capacity, confidence, and leadership from within the community. Each program offered is a response to a real, pressing identified not by outsiders, but by the lived experiences of the very people the organization serves.

The laser guide of Isuroon founder foundation was Health equity as one of the most urgent and foundational goals of Isuroon. Many Somali women and families come to the U.S. with experiences of war, trauma, displacement, and loss. Upon arrival, they are met with a healthcare system that is foreign, complex, and often unwelcoming due to language barriers, lack of interpreters, culturally insensitive providers, and unfamiliar medical protocols further alienate them. Isuroon steps into this gap, providing culturally competent health services and education to bridge the divide. Its wellness programs include access to doulas who understand traditional birthing practices, MNsure navigation for insurance enrollment, and health advocacy to help families understand their rights and make informed choices. Isuroon also champions ARHMS (Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services), where mental health is treated with compassion and cultural sensitivity often missing in mainstream systems. These services acknowledge the stigma surrounding mental illness in East African communities and offer a safe space for healing and support. Additionally, Isuroon’s commitment to health also extends to food security, with the operation of a halal food shelf tailored specifically to meet the dietary needs and religious practices of the Somali and East African population. For those facing hunger, especially elders and single mothers, this resource provides not just food but dignity. Nutritional workshops and wellness seminars further equip families with the knowledge to make healthier choices, creating lasting impacts across generations.

And yet, health alone cannot ensure stability. Isuroon pinned holed that economic independence is a critical component of individual empowerment and community transformation. This Isuroon’s Individual Development Account (IDA) program and financial literacy workshops provide Somali, Afghan’s, East African families with the tools to gain control over their financial lives. Whether saving a home, launching a small business, or paying for education, participants in the IDA program receive matched savings and structured training to achieve their financial goals. In connection to this, Isuroon’s small business support services are especially impactful for women who have long been entrepreneurs but lacked access to formal training, capital, or networks. With mentorship, business planning support, and advocacy, many women have opened childcare centers, tailoring shops, food services, and more turning passion into income and self-reliance.

Likewise, civic engagement and leadership are equally central to Isuroon’s vision. Too often, immigrant and refugee voices are left out of the policy conversations that affect their lives. Isuroon refuses to let this silence persist. The organization offers civic education, leadership development programs, and community ambassador training, equipping women and youth with the skills and confidence to advocate for themselves and their communities. From organizing voting drives to speaking at the Capitol, Isuroon helps foster an empowered citizenry that understands both rights and responsibilities. Similarly, Youth programs are especially vital in this area. Throughcrime prevention, drug abuse, mental health awareness, and youth leadership initiatives, Isuroon supports at-risk young people with awareness training, mentorship, peer education, and alternatives to violence or isolation. These programs build not only future leaders but also safer, more connected neighborhoods.

Undoubtedly, housing, one of the most critical social determinants of health and stability, is another priority area for Isuroon. Discrimination in the housing market, language barriers, and a lack of affordable housing options make it difficult for many East African families to find and keep safe, permanent homes. Isuroon’s housing counseling and education programs support clients in understanding leases, accessing subsidies, budgeting for rent, and knowing their tenant rights. The organization’s Housing Stabilization Program provides a safety net for individuals at risk of eviction or homelessness, including people with disabilities and families emerging from crisis. Navigators work directly with clients to find secure housing, prevent evictions, and maintain tenancy, transforming the chaos of housing instability into long-term security.

Additionally, Isuroon invested in refugee support services as another vital cornerstone of Isuroon’s mission. The Somali community in Minnesota includes thousands of individuals who have endured war, statelessness, and trauma. Upon arrival in the U.S., the challenges continue, from navigating immigration paperwork to enrolling children in school. Isuroon walks alongside these families every step of the way, offering emotional support, access to public services, legal referrals, and culturally relevant orientation to American life. These services are not about assimilation, but empowerment, helping families find their way while retaining cultural identity and values.

Another essential area of Isuroon’s family intervention is advocacy and support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Many immigrant and refugee women suffer in silence due to stigma, shame, or fear of institutional systems. Isuroon creates safe, confidential spaces where survivors can speak their truth, access justice, and rebuild their lives. Trained advocates provide crisis counseling, safety planning, court accompaniment, and resource connectional within a framework that respects cultural context and survivor autonomy. Through these services, Isuroon not only saves lives but restores hope and agency to women who have long been marginalized.

One of Isuroon’s distinguishing strengths is its use of culturally competent research and partnerships to inform programming and advocacy. The organization collaborates with academic institutions, public agencies, and community-based organizations to conduct research that accurately reflects the lived experiences of East African communities. This evidence is then used to improve service delivery, advocate for policy change, and train professionals in other institutions. Isuroon’s collaborative spirit ensures that no one organization works in isolation and that broader systems are pushed toward equity and inclusion.

Above all, what truly sets Isuroon apart is its deep commitment to community strength, resilience, and self-determination. Every service, program, and outreach effort are driven by the belief that the community itself holds the wisdom and power to change its own reality. Isuroon is not about charity, it is about justice. It is not about saviors, but it is about solidarity. Isuroon as committed Community Service organization elevates community voices, invests in leadership from within, and builds structures where Somali and East African families are not just surviving, they are thriving.

From the halal food shelf to leadership academies, from doula services to stabilization, from youth engagement to economic empowerment, Isuroon exemplifies what can be achieved when a community refuses to give up on itself. In every success story, whether a mother accessing healthcare for the first time, a youth choosing education over violence, or a survivor of abuse becoming an advocate for others, there lies the embodiment of the phrase, “where there is a will, there is a way”. Isuroon is that way. It is the path carved by willpower, guided by cultural pride, and sustained by the unbreakable spirit of those it serves.

In conclusion, Isuroon is not just an organization; it is a movement. A movement born from necessity, sustained by community, and driven by purpose. Its impact spans healthcare, housing, education, economic empowerment, and civic life in all approached with cultural humility, evidence-based practice, and unrelenting compassion. In a world where immigrant communities are often pushed to the margins, Isuroon centers their experience, amplifies their voice, and walks with them toward a better future. Where there is a will, there is a way, and in Minnesota’s East African community, that way is Isuroon.

Osman Ali Hassan
Email: abayoonis1968@gmail.com