Ayan works as a counselor at CAPI's Minnesota Family Investment Program. She has been working with CAPI for a little over two years. She’s originally from Somalia, and enjoys reading and spending time with her family and friends. Ayan provides job placement, training, and counseling to CAPI's MFIP program participants.

Birtukan works as an Employment Specialist at CAPI and has been with CAPI for two years. Birtukan worked with Lutheran Social Services as a refugee case manager prior to coming to CAPI. Birtukan has a Social Work degree from Augsburg College, and will be starting her Masters program at Luther Seminary in fall 2009. Birtukan is also involved a lot with the Oromo community working as a women coordinator at Oromo Lutheran Church.

 

Dean Porter is CAPI’s Program Coordinator. He manages CAPI’s Elder Care program, Food Shelf program, our nutrition and health initiatives and assists with development for CAPI. Dean came to CAPI through Public Allies, a nonprofit leadership development program that identifies young leaders committed to promoting social justice in their communities. Dean has a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Grinnell College and has experience in program development, community organizing, cross-cultural research and advocacy. Through his work, Dean seeks to promote cultural understanding and enhance opportunities for immigrants and refugees in the Twin Cities.

 

Eh Thweet: Counselor, Refugee Employment Services (RES) and Refugee Social Services (RSS)
Email: eh.thweet@capiusa.org 
Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3677

 

Eh Thweet is counselor in CAPI's Refugee Employment Services and Refugee Social Services programs. Eh Thweet was born in Burma, but fled to Thailand in 2001 due to the civil war. In Thailand, Eh attended the Leadership Management Training College where he studied Psychology. In 2008, he moved to the United States. Eh Thweet speaks Karen and Burmese and brings one and a half years of experience working in Refugee Employment Services. 

 

Eleanor is the Operations Coordinator at CAPI USA. She helps with a variety of projects at CAPI USA including general operations, communications, and development. Eleanor came to CAPI through the Public Allies Program, a national nonprofit leadership training program associated with Americorp and Pillsbury United Communities, and now continues her work as a full time employee. Eleanor has a background working in diverse communities providing social services abroad and in the United States along with experience in Academic Research. Eleanor is excited to continue her work at CAPI as a part of an organization that strives to guide refugee and immigrants on their journey toward self-determination and social equality.

 

Holly Vander Schaaf: Communications Coordinator & Operations Support Specialist
Public Allies Twin Cities
Email: holly.vanderschaaf@capiusa.org 
Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3669

 

Holly works alongside the program coordinators to build a social media presence for their exciting work and to keep CAPI’s website updated.  She also helps with more general office operations. Public Allies, a national nonprofit leadership training program associated with Americorp and Pillsbury United Communities, placed Holly at CAPI USA. Holly recently graduated from Macalester college where she studied social movement theory, development studies, and Hispanic literature. At CAPI she looks forward to learning more about the diverse populations served by CAPI’s programs as well as CAPI’s unique approach to providing these services.  

Joe has been with CAPI for close to 8 years. Currently he is an employment counselor with the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP). Prior to becoming an MFIP Employment Counselor, he was an employment counselor for the Refugee Employment Service program for 8 months, a Food Shelf Coordinator for 4 years, and an Outreach Specialist for the Family Strengthening program for another 8 months. Mr. Vang is also a certified Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF). He loves his job and has always wanted to make a difference for the clients that he serves.

Krishna is the custodian at CAPI. He began working at CAPI as a wage subsidy client, and after completing his thirteen weeks of wage subsidy was permanently hired here. He is hard working and enjoys his job at CAPI. Krishna grew up in Southern Bhutan, but was forced to flee his home and live in a refugee camp in Nepal. Krishna came to the United States less than two years ago, where he lives in Minneapolis with his wife and four children.

 

 

Lisa Harris: Employment Program Coordinator

Email: lisa.harris@capiusa.org

Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3673

 

Lisa started working at CAPI as a receptionist through the wage subsidy program and is now CAPI’s Program Assistant. She guides clients to find employment opportunities and assists them through the job search process. She encourages and motivates clients to reach to their highest potential and to never give up. Lisa remains motivated to help clients because of her past personal experiences that often relate to those of clients. She currently runs the Job Club and actively seeks opportunities for CAPI to build relationships with employers. Lisa’s future goal is to continue to pursue her education in Human Services and one day run an organization which helps refugees, single mothers, the homeless, and domestic abuse victims. If you are interested in volunteering with Job Club or have questions regarding Job Club, please contact her.

 

Rhea has been working as a Refugee Outreach and eldercare advocate. She has completed coursework in child development at Minneapolis Community College, taken many computer courses, and has received a certificate in Bank Telling. She is also certified through the Board of Immigration Appeals. Rhea is passionate about her work, especially working with the elderly Asian community, and brings to CAPI a range of diverse skills.

 

 

Saharla is a Health advocate with CAPI. She graduated from Roosevelt High School and later pursued an Associate degree from Normandale Community Collage in information management systems. She is a certified community health care worker. Her future plans are to get a bachelor degree in Social Work. Besides English, she speaks two other languages: Somali and Kiswahili.

 

 

 

Simran Aryal: Program Manager
Email: simran.aryal@capiusa.org

 

Smidchei has been working as a foodshelf coordinator at CAPI for the past 2 years. He has earned a two-year Associate Degree of Science, and a one-year Business Management certification. He is also a certified home buyer counselor and licensed mortgage loan officer. He would like to continue his effort to provide services to CAPI’s Foodshelf participants for the next 5 years. He is passionate about his work, and continues to help individuals and families, who have language and other barriers.