This study assessed the needs of Somali immigrant and refugee groups living in Hennepin County, Minnesota, and determined how those needs could be met. A series of focus groups were conducted with male and female Somalis of various ages. Organizations that served the Somali population completed surveys about their activities and services. Results of the focus groups and survey were used to determine how well the community’s needs matched available services. Several published studies on the Somali community in Minnesota were reviewed to compare the needs of Somalis as identified by those studies with those identified in the focus group. In general, focus groups and published studies identified similar categories of problems but different specific problems under these categories. Participants in the focus groups, compared with the published studies, did not identify lack of social network, transportation, gender role reversals, or mental health as significant problems. Both Somali individuals and the organizations serving them identified housing, education, employment, and cultural support systems as primary concerns. Somalis identified family needs as important, but organizations did not. (Contains 3 figures, 15 tables, and 14 references.) (SM) (ERIC No. ED464982)
