Abdirashid Arab, Counselor, Refugee Employment Services (RES)

Email: abdirashid.arab@capiusa.org     Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3676

Abdirashid is an employment counselor at CAPI. He helps refugee clients with job searching and job placement. He has a degree in electronic engineering and worked as an electronics technologist for ADC telecommunications and Teleplan Wireless. He was born and raised in Somalia. He came to the United States of America in 1996. He lives with his wife and five children in Minneapolis. He is a certified global career developer and a member of the Longfellow School planning and management team. He received many honors and awards from associations and employers.

Amina Warsame, MFIP Counselor

Email: amina.warsame@capiusa.org      Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3685

Ayan Daud, MFIP Counselor 

Email:  ayan.daud@capiusa.org      Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3684

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 Sima, Counselor, Refugee Employment Services (RES)

Email: birtukan.sima@capiusa.org      Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3675

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.

Caroline Yang, MFIP Counselor 

Email:  caroline.yang@capiusa.org      Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3691

Caroline is an Employment Counselor at CAPI and works in the MFIP department. She is bilingual in Hmong and English. Caroline has been with CAPI since 2005 and has over eight years of experience in the Social Service field.  She has collaborated with other social organizations in awareness raising efforts. Caroline continues to be involved in CAPI Toys for Tots, CAPI Youth Summer Camp Program and many Job Fairs throughout the Twin Cities.  She is also part of our leadership team for gender equity and social change.

Dana Brent, MFIP Case Aide

Dana Brent is 19 years old.  Born in Chicago, she moved to Minneapolis when she was 7 years old and hasn't left since. In June 2009, Dana graduated from Minnesota Transitions Charter School, and went on to get her CNA/HHA and TMA. She is very interested in nursing and hopes to become an RN someday. She will be enrolling in North Hennepin College starting in July. Dana is incredibly dependable, hard-working, easy to get along with, smart, and understanding.

Ekta Prakash, Manager, Family Advancement

Email: ekta.prakash@capiusa.org     Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3680

Ekta manages CAPI's core programs in health equity, youth education, and economic resources.  She has been with CAPI since February 2007, progressively managing its core programs. Ms. Prakash has earned her bachelors in Sociology from Patna University and then later pursued her Master’s in Sociology from Delhi School of Economics. She came to United States after finishing her education in 2001. Before coming to the United States Ms. Prakash worked as a volunteer for Women Literacy program. Her career has revolved around non-profit organizations serving diverse communities. Ekta also has a Masters in Public and Non-profit Administration. Ekta is also part of CAPI's gender equity leadership team.

Erika King, MFIP Case Aide

Erika was born in a small city in Mississippi. She moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota to pursue a career in Art, receiving a scholarship.  She didn't pursue Art, because she also had a dream of being a nurse. She began working as a Nursing Assistant in a Skilled Nursing Facility, and knew that this was where she wanted to be.  She was promoted four times within the same facility. While working at this facility, Erika dedicated much of her time to volunteering and to seniors in the community. Currently Erika is enrolled in college where she is working to get her Bachelor's Degree in Medical and Billing Coding.

Pham Thi Hoa, Executive Director 

Email: pham.thihoa@capiusa.org     Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3661

Hoa has 20 years of experience of managing programs for refugees and immigrants, including overseas relief and development experience in Asia, Africa, and the Balkans.  Prior to joining CAPI, Hoa was the Regional Director at the American Refugee Committee where she managed its microfinance and gender-based violence programs in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.  She also supported the ARC's work with Burmese refugees in Thailand and the Tsunami relief efforts in Sri Lanka. Previously, Hoa was managing relief and development country programs for refugees and displaced persons in Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia for the International Rescue Committee, Thailand and Indonesia for Save the Children/US, and Vietnam for the Norwegian Refugee Council.  Hoa holds a Master in Public Policy from Columbia University and a BA from the University of Minnesota with a concentration in journalism and international relations.  She serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Council for Nonprofits, MAP for Nonprofits, Center for Victims of Torture, and the MACC Alliance of Connected Communities.

James Suda, Business Alliance Coordinator 

Email: james.suda@capiusa.org     Direct Phone Line:  (612) 767-3677

James is responsible for individual assessment, career counseling/coaching, job search training, identifying and developing relationships with regional employers, and providing ongoing support and resources.  James holds a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies from the University of Minnesota.

Joe Vang, Program Lead, MN Family Investment Program (MFIP) Counselor

Email: joe.vang@capiusa.org     Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3690

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 Humagai, Custodian

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.

Nur D. Nur, Counselor, Refugee Employment Services

Email: nur.dirie@capiusa.org     Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3671

Nur D. Nur is an Employment Counselor at CAPI. He provides individualized assistance in helping Refugee Employment Service by assisting participants with job searching and accessing supplementary resources/service within CAPI as well as external agencies. Nur has a Bachelor's degree in Global Studies with a Minor in Political Science from St. Cloud State University. During his education at St. Cloud State, he traveled to Ghana for Human Rights Research and Community Development. Through his job, he feels privileged to work with refugees and immigrants to lead successful lives and social equality in the United States.

Nuria Yousuf, Advocate, Refugee Settlement Services

Email: nuria.yousuf@capiusa.org     Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3674

Nuria is a Refugee Outreach Coordinator and is certified by the Board of Immigration Appeals. She has worked with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Nairobi as an interpreter. She also has a degree in computer accounting from Nairobi St. Catherine College. Ms. Yousuf was born and raised in Ethiopia, and moved to Kenya as a refugee. She came to the United States as an immigrant from Kenya. Today, working with refugees and helping them become independent gives her great satisfaction. She is a mother and a part time student at St. Catherine College. She will be completing her Associate Degree in Health information management from St. Kate’s, UOM, in 2010. 

Rachel Wofford, Program Management Assistant  

Email: rachel.wofford@capiusa.org     Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3665

Rachel is a Graduate Student at the Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs studying Global Policy and Human Rights. Originally from Texas, Rachel attended Trinity University in San Antonio, where she majored in English and History. After graduation, Rachel joined Teach For America and taught bilingual fourth grade in the Rio Grande Valley for two years. She is now finishing her first year of her Masters in Public Policy and will graduate in 2011.

Rhea Yang, Advocate, Services for Seniors

Email: rhea.yang@capiusa.org     Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3693

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 Salah, Advocate, Health Equity 

Email: saharla.salah@capiusa.org     Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3683

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, Counselor, Refugee Employment Services (RES)

Email: simran.aryal@capiusa.org     Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3678

Simran likes working as a counselor as she gets the opportunity to directly work with people who are in need of employment services. She has a good deal of experience in organizing people as well as in formulating and implementing social activities/programs in her previous works. She has earned a Bachelors' degree in Computer Science and a Masters' in Business Administration.

Smidchei Xiong, Coordinator, Foodshelf  

Email: smidchei.xiong@capiusa.org     Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3686

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.

Soua Lor, Foodshelf and Youth Program Coordinator

Email: soua.lor@capiusa.org     Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3688

Soua is the proud father of two beautiful children. He is a great chef and loves to eat. Soua has a professional background in working with parents and students in the schools. He also worked closely with Hennepin County Juvenile probation assisting delinquent teens. He has expertise in gangs and gang activity. Soua has used his skills to inform both youth and adults about the struggles and reasoning of involvement in gangs. His passion and dedication is to help teens and families find the right path into a successful future.

Vang Yang, Faculty/Transportation Coordinator

Wedajo Tura, Counselor, Refugee Employment Services (RES)

Email: wedajo.tura@capiusa.org     Direct Phone Line: (612) 767-3673

Wedajo came to the USA in May of 1995 as a visitor, and was subsequently granted asylum status. He went to college in Ethiopia for 2 years, and went on to Addis Ababa University, where he received a BA in Public Administration. He then worked in Ethiopia for 24 years in private and government institutions, before coming to the US. In his 10 years here, he worked for different companies before coming to CAPI, which was on the November of 2006. He also contributed services to his church and the Oromo community.