We are committed to breaking barriers together.
We provide culturally specific services, delivered by a staff that reflects the community it serves by drawing upon their own linguistic, familial, social capital, and lived experience. Our services reflect the values, beliefs, practices, and worldviews of the African immigrants/refugees.
We are intentional in our representation of cultural perspectives that inform our programs and that represents the lived experience of families and most CAIRO staff
Our Mission
It is the mission of the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization (CAIRO) to advocate for and act to increase equity and social justice through programs, services, community organizing and collaborative leadership that create equitable opportunities for African refugees and immigrant children, youth and families to thrive.
We seek to carry out this mission by utilizing the following design and approach in our work in Central Minnesota:
Awareness
Effectively tell our story to the community, partners, and funders, increasing awareness of our mission and CAIRO's impact.
Partnership
Continuing to build long-term partnerships with key local partners to optimize resources and improve social programs in CAIRO.
Impact
Ensuring Our approach contributes to culturally informed institutions, empowered parents, as well as successful children and youth.
Services
Create, enhance, and deliver community-centered programs to meet the needs of African immigrants and refugees.
Sustainability
Achieve financial stability through unrestricted funding, expanding CAIRO's donor base, and evaluating program impacts and sustainability.
Our Vision
We envision a more just and equitable society in which children, youth, and families live in sustained, supportive communities, which reinforce the cultural wealth and lived experience of the family.
Our Progress Measured
6K+
Individuals Served
1M+
Social Impact Hours
120+
Evictions Prevented
28M+
Raised and Managed