Dignity
Every family is met with respect, patience, and cultural understanding — never judgment.
About Us
Neighbors helping neighbors find their footing.
A community-led nonprofit born from the Somali Bantu experience of resettlement in Utica.
Our Story
From displacement to belonging
The Somali Bantu people endured generations of marginalization and years in refugee camps before many families were resettled in the United States. Utica, New York — long known as “the city that loves refugees” — became home to a growing Somali Bantu community.
Founded in 2008 by community members who had lived that journey, the Mohawk Valley Somali Bantu Community Association grew out of a simple need: families helping one another navigate a new language, new systems, and a new life. What began as informal mutual aid became a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the wider Mohawk Valley.
Today we remain rooted in that founding spirit — trusted, familiar, and led by the very community we serve.
At a glance
- Founded 2008 in Utica, NY
- 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 27-0158992)
- Led by Somali Bantu community members
- Serving refugees & immigrants across the Mohawk Valley
What Guides Us
Our values
Belonging
We help newcomers move from feeling like strangers to feeling like neighbors and citizens.
Self-Reliance
Our goal is not dependence but confidence — the skills and support to stand on one’s own.
Be part of the welcome.
Your support helps refugee families turn a new place into a true home.