CERI’s March Newsletter

Meet the OCPSC Team

Anupama Chapagain is the OCPSC Program Manager. A first-generation Nepali immigrant, she has been actively working in the San Francisco Bay Area to improve the quality of life for the immigrant community since 2005. With firsthand knowledge of the hurdles faced by newcomers, she dedicates herself to breaking down linguistic and cultural barriers. Anupama's commitment is to be a beacon for creating a stronger, more harmonious community where each member has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the rich tapestry of multicultural life. About OCPSC she shares:

“This year we have stayed close to the community by organizing events, training sessions, and facilitating support groups to share knowledge and experiences with each other.”

Sangita Gautam is a mental health specialist, community facilitator, and advocate. As a lifelong learner and dreamer, her journey has been shaped by her experiences as a Nepali immigrant. Sangita's passion for community mental health and advocacy is deeply rooted in her firsthand experience with the systemic challenges and traumas faced by underserved and unserved BIPOC communities. About her OCPSC work, she says:

“The reason I joined the OCPSC team is to connect to the community in meaningful ways, especially to support our communities of color with the impacts of climate change.

We have been sharing information and advocating for more resources such as clean drinking water; having cooling centers that are clean and accessible; and overall creating neighborhoods that are fully resourced.”

Ariam Araya was born in Eritrea and moved to the US in 2017 as a first-generation immigrant, and has been supporting Eritrean community members since then. Ariam has a background in art and is an award-winning author, film director, poet, storyteller, and television host.

“At the beginning, it was challenging to explain why we must save water in California. People were used to conserving water in their home country, but didn’t realize that there is also a shortage of water here in the U.S. But after a few months of sharing information, the conversation started to change – and now they remind ME to save water when they see me! Saving water has become a shared responsibility.”

Neda Adhami is a Community Outreach worker with OCPSC. She was born in Iran and left the country in 2012. She spent several years in multiple countries before arriving in the U.S. in 2022. Neda's experience of leaving her home and starting anew in a foreign land instilled in her a genuine passion for helping those in need.

“One reason I joined the outreach worker team is that I have a deep empathy for those in need and a strong commitment to serving and empowering immigrants and refugees from diverse backgrounds. This work connects with me on a personal level because I believe in the importance of making a difference.

One recent moment that deeply moved me was when I witnessed the impact of our outreach efforts firsthand - seeing gratitude and relief in the eyes of individuals we assisted. Knowing that we made a positive difference in their lives was incredibly important work.”

Roger Remera is an Outreach Worker and documentary filmmaker who focuses his work on human rights issues around the world. He wants to address injustice by telling the untold stories of the voiceless through his lenses. He is especially interested in Africa where he is from as a survivor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. His experience in America has been in the humanitarian sector, where he worked with different non-profit organizations. About OCPSC he says:

“I think outreach work is about giving back to the community and creating a bridge between the community and CERI.

As a personal example of our work, it used to be a challenge in my home when my teenage daughter took long showers - but I taught her about the OCPSC water saving campaign and now she’s teaching her friends about this too. We see these types of small changes every day.

We face some challenges in our Covid outreach. Some people think that Covid is a hoax and don’t take it seriously. We have to remind people that it’s real and it’s important to get boosted.”

Rojina Rana Magar was born and raised in Nepal and came to U.S. in 2021 to complete her master’s degree. She is a community-oriented practitioner who prioritizes a positive working environment with diverse people to approach social change. Rojina joined the OCPSC team this March.

“Since joining the team I have been building a lot of connections. I’ve done outreach and tabling at events such as the Ramadan fair in Hayward and Oakland, and a Women’s Day event organized by the Nepalese community.

When we are at the table, community members come up and get access to things they weren’t aware of before. When people don’t know where to go, it gives them a light in the darkness.”

Ngawang Lama is an Outreach Worker and serves the refugee communities in the Bay Area, including Tibetans, Nepalese, and other Southeast Asian immigrants. She speaks several languages. Ngwang joined the OCPSC team in March and says:

“I’m excited to meet more community members and let them know about CERI’s programs and resources. This is important information that people need on a daily basis. We integrate it with our other CERI resources, helping community members also fill out MediCal paperwork, apply for health insurance, sign up for CalFresh food stamps - all very helpful resources for community members.”

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