What we are up to at CERI

Amazing work is happening at CERI! Over the past year, we’ve grown significantly– building our staff team and expanding and deepening our services to more refugee and immigrant communities in the East Bay. We want to share with you some highlights!

• After the Fall of Kabul, we hired 2 Afghan Case Managers who have supported nearly 200 Afghan newcomers, with interpretation, case management and social services, health navigation, and linkages to specialized services, supplies and donations. We  hosted 6 community gatherings to welcome newly arrived Afghans in collaboration with ARTogether, where families discussed common issues and practiced stress management with the help of Occupational Therapists. Children played and made  art, and healthy, delicious food was served. 

• We continued to provide COVID relief services, including support groups and linkages to rental assistance, food, and resources to address digital access needs. We hosted 7 vaccination clinics, administering nearly 300 doses, and distributed over 2000 test kits, in partnership with Asian Health Services and Native American Health Center.

• We trained 10 youth leaders on the importance of COVID vaccinations and they educated 100 youths in their communities! We organized 2 outdoor art workshops on the importance of COVID vaccines and safety measures, reaching 40 children and their parents.

• Our Youth Programs Team doubled in size and engaged over 50 youths in art and poetry, social and environmental justice, climate education, intergenerational learning, focus groups, youth leadership, and academic support.

• From enjoying a day at the beach to picking cherries and visiting temples, we hosted monthly field trips, bringing 50-60 adults and elders together to reduce isolation and promote connection while exploring local sites.

• We expanded New Light, an innovative wellness program to support our overseas communities that have been impacted by genocide, war, refugee resettlement, incarceration and deportation. New Light serves more than 40 individuals and their families in one-on-one sessions and peer support groups.  

• We started Holding Sotha, a support group for adult children of genocide survivors struggling with severe mental health issues. Little understood by family and friends, many who have mental health issues end up isolated, alienated and often without homes or in prison. Participants receive psychiatric services, individual therapy and case management, and are engaged in a weekly art therapy support group.

• We increased training for direct practice staff to include EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and the flash technique– evidence-based strategies to address PTSD.

• Our workforce development program, Wellness in Action, launched the Decolonizing Mental Health Series in collaboration with Partners for Trauma Recovery, where the very first event had the participation of 80 people representing diverse communities from across the country and beyond. 

• We had our very first in-person staff retreat since the pandemic, where over 20 members of our team practiced self-care by enjoying a day playing mini-golf, eating delicious BBQ, and floating along the river. 

And this isn’t all!! We hope these highlights are as exciting for you as they are for us because we absolutely could not do this work without your support!! From following us on social media to reading our newsletters to making in-kind and financial donations to volunteering your time, all of your contributions make an impact and help us to keep going. Thank you for being a part of the CERI community!!

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