Since its establishment, Somali Immigrant Aid Organization has been providing a number of needed direct services within our own community. These services range from settlement services to individual counselling and family support. As additional programs SIAO has also provided the large human services sector with education and support for understanding and working with our Somali Community. An SIAO Board member also sit on various community committees and work groups and has become full contribution members. The following include the main services provided: 

Immigration Issues  
Translation/Interpretation Services  
Education /ESL  
Job Training  
Housing and Welfare referrals  
Community Legal Services referrals  
Health and Community education  
Family Counselling  
Needs Assessment Projects for Somali Community  
Exposition of Somali Culture to Canadians  

Table 1 depicts persons served by age category since 1991 while Table 2 and Table 3 show status of persons served vs. percentage and  services provided vs. persons seen, respectively. 

Volunteers carry out most of the services. There are three full times and four part-time paid staff.  The volunteers come mainly from members of the Organization although Board members represent the core. When volunteers are recruited, an orientation process is followed. The volunteer would meet at least one of the Board to discuss the agency's mandate as well as to discuss  the skills that they can offer to the Organization. Tables 4 & Table 5 show the volunteer and staff resources since 1991.