Sara Chute, a staff member
with the Minnesota Department of Health and community volunteer,
was the chosen recipient of an award of appreciation from members
of the Disabled Immigrant Association (DIA). Sara received this first-time
award at a special dinner because of her dedicated support and her
year-long volunteer activity with DIA.
The Disabled Immigrant
Association’s office is
strategically located to provide the most efficient support to disabled
immigrants who live within the inner city of Minneapolis. Most of
the clients served are immigrants from Somalia who live with physical
or mental disabilities, or both. Language is a major barrier to immigrants
with disabilities along with prejudice based on race, religion, eth-nicity,
culture, and disability. About 80,000 Somali residents live in Minnesota;
most live in the Twin Cities. Approximately 14 to 20 percent of this
population consists of people with either one type or a combination
of physical and mental disabilities. Some of the disabilities were
the result of war and ethnic cleansing in Somalia.
DIA has an important mission, one which it has taken on with enthusiasm,
courage and determination. Volunteers devote many hours a week to make
life better for fellow immigrants with disabilities.
Most of the people served by DIA get help with finding employment,
instruction of English as a second language, support to fill out complicated
application forms, assistance with food and nutrition and assistance
with transportation. It is the transportation program that carries
these other DIA activities. An average of 10 rides per day is given
to clients at a fee of $20 per ride. Much more needs to be done as
this population is sometimes isolated and ignored.
According to Chute, “For
me, everyone at DIA is deserving of this award. From its incredible
co-founders Sharif and Abdul to its outstanding executive director
Mahad, and to its dedicated staff, that works hard every day to
help serve this often forgotten and vulnerable population. It is
an honor to be a part of such a unique organization that is truly
out there making a difference every day for those who most need
assistance.”
Mahad Abdi, DIA’s
executive director, introduced Chute as the DIA Board of Directors
choice and best candidate to receive this award for outstanding
contributions to the organization.
The dinner and volunteer
award will be an ongoing activity. Like Chute, future award candidates
will be selected and recognized for providing DIA staff or clients
with help and guidance for even greater community interaction and
support. ![end of story]()
To know how you can support
DIA and to learn more, access the DIA website at www.dialink.org.
Or e-mail Mahad and other DIA volunteers at info@dialink.org. To
visit or contact by phone the DIA office, go to or call 3033 2nd
Ave S. Mpls, (612) 824-7075.
