Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As we close out 2024, I’m incredibly proud of the resilience and growth of the Community Resource Center (CRC). What began as a response to the needs of a fast-growing East African population in Scott, Dakota, and Carver counties has evolved into a trusted community hub rooted in collaboration, compassion, and cultural understanding.
This year brought exciting milestones—from launching new initiatives in workforce development to expanding our mental health and entrepreneurship programming. I’m especially proud of our partnerships, including the successful establishment of a One-Stop social services model with Family Resource Center (FRC) and our ongoing collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) & Scott County. Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our shared mission.
With gratitude,
Ibrahim Mohamed, M,S,, EdExecutive Director, CRC
About CRC
Mission:
To promote positive changes by connecting families with essential resources. We aim to foster success and self-reliance by addressing social determinants and empowering individuals to thrive.
Vision:
To ensure every family has accessible opportunities in health care, workforce, and education. We remove barriers and create pathways to empower individuals and families to achieve their fullest potential.
Established in 2021, CRC was formed to address the rising needs of East African immigrants and refugees in Scott, Dakota, and Carver Counties. Our approach is rooted in human-centered design—connecting families and individuals to resources based on their unique needs and cultural context. We act as a bridge between community members and local government services, working collaboratively to build stronger, more inclusive systems.
CRC is led by Executive Director Ibrahim Mohamed, former Shakopee School Board Member, Policy Fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School, and co-founder of the Shakopee Diversity Alliance.
2024 Highlights
💼 Workforce Development
- $600,000 Targeted Population Workforce Grant awarded by MN DEED
- Program serves East African youth (18+) not enrolled in K-12
- 58 students Certified in Medical Phlebotomy and Cybersecurity IT
- Classes delivered in partnership with Southwest Metro ISD 288 at the Dean Lakes Building in Shakopee
- 58 Youth completed Financial Literacy Classes provided by CRC in partnership with UofM.
💡 Family Resource Center
In 2024, CRC completed 221 Intakes at FRC in the following departments:
💡 Business Entrepreneurship
- Delivered two 10-week cohorts of entrepreneurship workshops
- Funded by Scott County Community Development Agency (CDA)
- Connected with Scott County’s Center for Entrepreneurship for business development pathways
🧠 Mental Health
Hosted a Mental Health Workshop
Funded by Allina Health and St. Francis Regional Medical Center
🏘 Housing Research
- Delivered a 10-week training on conducting housing research
- Funded by the Metropolitan Council
- 33 Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) community members participated in the research- 10 trained CRC community members conducted the research and delivered the findings to the Met council Commissioners.
🏛 Systems Change & Partnerships
- CRC referred clients through a partnership with the Scott County CDA for housing and public service support
- CRC contributed to the successful FRC One-Stop Social Services Hub in 2024
Community Reach
- 500+ individuals served in 2024
- Services offered in English, Somali, Oromo, Amharic, and Arabic
- Focus areas: workforce development, housing stability, entrepreneurship, economic assistance navigation, and cultural navigation
Financial Summary
Income
- Government Grants: $195,045
- Contracts/All Other: $26,259
Total Income: $221,304
Expenses
- Accounting: $1,700
- Office Expenses: $7,437
- Occupancy: $9,840
- Insurance: $1,516
- Salaries/Benefits: $76,079
- Direct Program Expenses: $60,187
- All Other Program Expenses: $75,703
Total Expenses: $232,462
Net Assets: -$6,588
CRC operated slightly over budget in 2024, due to program expansion and upfront investments in new service areas. We’re actively pursuing diversified funding for long-term sustainability of current programs and expansion.
Board of Directors and Staff
Staff
- Ibrahim Mohamed – Executive Director
- Abdukadir Abdi – Outreach Coordinator
- Dr. Albert Linderman – Grants Manager
- Khalid Abdi – Communications
- Fatuma Omar – Cultural Navigation
- Dalmar Jabril – WorkForce Consultant
- Micheal Giovannis – Accountant
Board of Directors
- Chair: Mohamed Kaahie Adam, MBA – Principal, Aspire Academy Charter School
- Vice Chair: Fowsiya Idd – CNA, Public Health & Nutrition Specialist
- Clerk: Misty Vanhoorst – Community Leader & Social Change Advocate
- Treasurer: Aden Fithar – K-12 Teacher, Nonprofit Finance Background
- Liaison: Farrah Osman – Cultural Navigation Specialist & Business Owner
No governance changes occurred in 2024.
Looking Ahead to 2025
- Expanding our Workforce Development programs & services
- Continuing housing and mental health workshops with new cohorts
- Strengthening cross-county collaboration and system navigation
- Pursuing operational funding to close the budget gap and expand staff
Thank You
CRC’s progress is made possible by the commitment of our community, partners, and supporters. Whether you volunteered, donated, shared our work, or participated in a program—we see you, and we thank you. Together, we are creating a more connected and empowered future.
With deep appreciation,
Community Resource Center (CRC)
