Culture is strength, culture is resistance, culture is power. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Center for Empowering Refugees & Immigrants

Cultural & Community Inspiration

Dear friends, we noticed an error in our last newsletter, please see the revised version below. 

Photo from The Oaklandside of CERI’s Khmer Amathak Dance Troupe

In the last few weeks, we celebrated multiple New Years with our communities, honoring culture and connection. We co-hosted the annual Khmer New Year Festival at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, a vibrant gathering that showcased Cambodian rituals, arts, and cuisine. The event drew attention and support from across the Bay Area; you can read more in The Oaklandside.

Our Afghan community, deeply impacted by the ongoing violence in their homeland gathered at CERI to celebrate Eid, marking the end of Ramadan with traditional food and sweets. Together, they shared blessings and extended well-wishes for our broader communities.

This year, Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, also celebrated in parts of Afghanistan, arrived as many Iranians continue to endure the brutality of the Islamic Republic regime, amid U.S. and Israeli bombardment affecting civilian lives and infrastructure, including schools, universities, hospitals, and historical sites. At CERI’s heartfelt gathering, Nowruz was celebrated as an ancestral ritual honoring perseverance and dignity in a time of uncertainty.

Photo of Afghan women engaged in a cultural arts practice during CERI’s Eid and Nowruz gathering this year.

Our Nepali New Year celebration also happened this month, with cultural performances, dance, authentic food, and community resources. This year’s celebration carried deeper meaning in light of events since September 2025, when Nepal’s government imposed a sweeping ban on social media platforms. The decision sparked widespread outrage among the country’s youth. For many young Nepalis, the ban amplified frustrations with government corruption, nepotism, economic stagnation, and limited job opportunities. Despite restrictions, activists organized protests. As demonstrations intensified, tensions escalated, leading to the tragic loss of many young lives. Under mounting pressure, the Prime Minister resigned and the government ultimately lifted the social media ban. Today, Nepal is in a period of transition with hopes for a more transparent, inclusive, and responsive system of governance under the leadership of newly elected Balendra Shah, Nepal's youngest-ever Prime Minister.

Photo of Himalayan Young Leaders Group (The Hamro Project)

We draw inspiration from the Nepali youth movement. The courage of ordinary people reminds us that collective action can drive meaningful change.

There are many reasons to feel devastated right now and yet we remain inspired to resist the forces that seek to deny our humanity and continue to celebrate culture in the face of hate.

Announcements

Give in May

May is AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Heritage Month and also Mental Health Awareness Month. AAPI individuals are least likely to seek mental health support services because of cultural stigma and often deal with conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety on their own. CERI and our team work to address this intersection in our communities. Look out for our campaign in May to raise funds for AAPI mental health - any way you can support is a huge help, whether that’s making a donation or sharing with your network, we appreciate your support!

CalKIDS

Did You Know? CalKIDS could make college a reality for your child!  

CalKIDS offers newborns (born after July 1, 2022) and eligible low-income public school children in California an initial seed deposit, along with other potential financial incentives. CalKIDS’ mission is to make it easier for more children to save for their future education. Learn more about this and other financial assistance programs today by visiting the California Community Resource Guide or reach out to CERI directly for support!

CalFRESH

Grocery costs add up fast—especially with growing kids.

CalFresh provides monthly food benefits that help make everyday groceries more affordable, so you can spend less time worrying about the cost and more time focusing on your family.

Applying for CalFresh is easier than you think. CERI is here to help you get connected or visit FoodNow.net!

 

Want to support the wellbeing of refugee and immigrant communities?

Click the button below!

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Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants, 554 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA, 94610

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