I arrived in the United States in December 2024 with my husband and our six children. We had spent the previous three years in Egypt after fleeing war in our native Sudan, where we’d been employees of the U.S. government abroad.

When we first arrived in Iowa, we stayed for a month at my brother’s wife’s home in Oakridge Neighborhood. In our search for work during that time, my husband and I visited the Oakridge offices. There we met a caseworker named Abubaker and the lead of the Family and Worforce Programs team, Almardi. They provided us significant assistance and enrolled us in the HOPE for Stable Families program lead by Ms. Veleta, which provided us so many services.

Through the Oakridge programs we learned to drive and obtained our driver’s licenses. They helped us pay our rent and electricity bills, and enroll our children in school and Oakridge summer youth programs. Oakridge helped both my husband and me find jobs, and assisted with car payments through the WHEELS of HOPE program. That car gave us independence.

 “You Changed Our Lives”

Oakridge Neighborhood became our first supporter in the United States. Because of Oakridge, my children sleep in a warm, safe home. My husband and I can focus on buidling a future. They didn’t just give us help, they gave us stability, dignity, and a peace of mind.

Oakridge protected my family’s future when we needed it. You changed our lives. From my heart, thank you.

Families like Dalia’s turn to Oakridge Neighborhood for support. From secure housing to youth programs nurturing potential, to workforce and family services building brighter futures, our reach has expanded because the need has grown. Your support ensures that hope, opportunity and belonging remain within reach for thousands of Central Iowans who count on us every day. Learn more.