Somali Development Center

Somali Development Center was established in 1996 by Abdirahman A. Yusuf.

Mission

SDC is located in Boston and our mission is to provide consistently excellent and accessible community services to all Somalis (and other African communities) in Boston, regardless of immigration status. These services help Somalis as well as other African communities in Boston, to obtain the basic resources, services, information and skills needed to build productive and self-sufficient lives in a new land. While strengthening the Somali community by promoting mutual assistance, cultural identity and leadership, SDC fosters the ability of Somali individuals and families to advocate on their own behalf and participate constructively in the larger community.

 The Somali Development center is the only social services institution in Boston bearing the Somali name and entirely committed to the provision of services on a macro and micro level for Somali refugees and other African populations. Upon arriving in Boston from war-torn Somalia, SDC is the first place many refugees seek out to begin to establish a life in this city. The SDC, as one Somali woman described it, is “our embassy.” Given the primacy of the SDC in the lives of these refugees and its established reputation as the “embassy” for this population in Boston, the major goal of this organization is to modernize and professionalize in order to further solidify our reputation for providing excellent social services and fostering community building. 

Past Achievements 

• Since September 11, 2001, SDC has been at the forefront of working with city government authorities to provide education and awareness of Islam and Muslims to promote peaceful coexistence in the wake of those tragic terrorist attacks. SDC continues to work with the F.B.I. to ensure that young Somali men are not recruited to terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda. Additionally, as a result of the intervention by the SDC, there has been a 71% decrease in Somali youth violence, situating Boston with the lowest youth violence rate of any Somali community in the country
• On the housing front, SDC is proud to report that there has been 87% increase, as a result of our work, in the number of Somali families placed in low income/affordable  housing. 

• SDC, using its unique position as a bi-lingual and bi-cultural organization, will assist with enrolling several hundreds of Somalis in the Massachusetts’ state healthcare enrollment program to ensure access to affordable healthcare. We also provide ESL and citizenship classes, as well as emplyment search services. 

Donations 

SDC is hoping that a modernization and professionalization of the organization through the hiring of new staff and continuing education for current staff members will allow us to enhance the level of services we provide to the Somali community in Boston so that we can be even further recognized and appreciated as the Somali “embassy” in Boston. Our organization is busy, and people are extremely appreciative of the services provided for them, and both the staff and members recognize how SDC is a vital agency for under-served and often un-recognized population. We want to continue helping Somalis and other Africans in achieving a greater future, but in order to do so we need financial help. Donations will be used to provide direct social services to new African refugees and immigrants as well as continue on providing these services for Africans who need help to rebuild their lives and become self-sufficient.

If you have any questions, please contact the funder of SDC Abdirahman Yusuf: [email protected]