Who are the Community Builders: Community Care Advocate
This post is part of a series in the RIC’s campaign, “Fund our Community Builders.” Our community welcomes your gifts. Being able to provide equitable pay and benefits not only honors the expertise, kindness and hard mental and emotional work of the staff, but also helps ensure longevity in these important roles. Support the fund today.
Hamida and friend Lamia, celebrate their Amazigh culture wearing traditional clothing at the RIC Community Festival in October
When Mohamed first arrived to the US, Hamida assisted with time-saving, important enrollments for his family’s health and education.
During homework help time, Hamida adds Fabiha to the homework help list while talking with Rokeya about her mail.
Hamida Ouali's Experience as a Community Care Advocate
As a Community Care advocate, Hamida works at the RIC to answer any question posed by our New American neighbors. Questions range from long term Riverview resident Rokeya asking to determine if pieces of mail are bills or advertisements, to helping brand new families navigate school enrollment forms, TB tests and interviews so that their kids may start school. Hamida enjoys meeting new people, such as Mohamed. Mohamed brought his family from Egypt to the US two weeks after Hamida was hired at the RIC. She remembers that it was the first time she worked alone, and Mohamed had a lot of questions! She told him she would start enrolling his kids in school the first week, then work through everything else. The second week, she helped Mohamed apply for Medicaid and SNAP benefits for his kids. Then, she helped the eldest, Toka, enroll at Columbus State Community College. A few days later, Mohamed came back to the office with a letter he didn’t understand. She explained that his kids’ benefits were approved; he was so happy and relieved.
“The best thing about working at the RIC is feeling that I do things that make people happy. I love that.” —Hamida Ouali
Hamida also enjoys working on Monday evenings supervising homework help. One night, 3 kids came early, competing to be first in line. She told them there were three volunteers coming so they could all go first! It was funny, but Hamida said, “It means a lot to me because these kids need help with school work, and I am glad they come for extra learning time. They like learning!” During homework help time, Hamida gets to talk with their moms and learn about their stories and their new life in America.
Fact: RIC staff & volunteers have had 312 appointments to help our neighbors enroll into schools or colleges this year!
NAIMA talks about her experience with our Community Care Advocate, Hamida. She moved to Florida in January 2020 from Algeria and then moved to Ohio in June 2021. She has a Bachelor’s degree in international finance and is working at Rich Food Products warehouse in Hilliard.
A Day in the Life: Our Community Care Advocate
Hamida helps a neighbor join a Zoom meeting with Columbus City Schools’ to complete their son’s enrollment.
Naima, from Algeria, comes in next, asking to join the English class happening downstairs. Hamida takes her to meet the teacher, Mary.
Hamida is in the kitchen on break, eating her lunch, when Abderahim comes in asking for her. Em tells him she will help and explains an email he received.
Celia, a 6-year-old, announces to the room, “I want my teacher to be just like the one who teaches school here because I like her!” [referring to our Preschool volunteer Heather]
Kahina arrived in the US five days ago and has no idea where to start! Amidst the big questions, Hamida also answers where the international grocery store is, how to use cash, and what she can buy at the nearby Kohl’s store.
Fouad came to the office for the first time, but he didn’t understand Hamida speaking English. She switched to Arabic and he said, “I’m happy you can understand me!”
Hamida can hear kids outside the door when they get off the bus from school. They come in and ask if it’s time for homework help to begin, and she is glad they are so excited
Why fund our Community Builders?
We want to continue to help our neighbors connect with employment, and we aspire to be an attractive and competitive employer. Being able to provide equitable pay and benefits is important to the RIC; this not only honors the expertise, kindness and hard mental and emotional work of the staff, but also helps ensure longevity in their roles, which allows for trust to be built with neighbors, partners, volunteers, and other staff. Your generous gift will help the RIC continue to hire and retain top talent, in order to build relationships and support our neighbors.
Who is our Community?
Our neighbors. Our volunteers. Our partners. Our staff.