Who We Are

Generation Hope is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) organization that was founded by Abdirahman Warsame and Khadar Abi in 2019. Since inception, Generation Hope has been committed to creating a better, safer, and more connected community for individuals experiencing drug addiction and substance use disorders in the greater East African community of the Twin Cities Metro area. We are a Somali-led organization and our team consists of individuals in recovery, mental health professionals such as licensed counselors and peer recovery support specialists, and members of the community . To date, we have reached thousands of individuals through our organization’s outreach work and have connected hundreds of East African youth to culturally specific treatment and services for substance use disorders, particularly opioid addiction. Since formation, we have worked with community organizations, nonprofits, medical facilities, mental health professionals, government agencies, and other stakeholders who share our goals. We have hosted numerous events in the Twin Cities area at places like the Brian Coyle Community Center and the People’s Center and work closely with culturally specific treatment centers to connect East African individuals with culturally responsive treatment options

Our Mission

Generation Hope's mission is to empower and support the East African community in understanding and overcoming addiction, fostering hope and recovery, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction.

 

Our Vision

Our vision for Generation Hope, is a world where the East African community has access to resources for overcoming addiction and mental health without stigma and where individuals are empowered to seek help without fear of judgment. We envision a society that views addiction as a disease, and where prevention and treatment resources are widely available. We see a future where mental health and addiction are openly discussed and individuals are met with empathy and support on their journey towards recovery. Generation Hope plays a vital role in this vision by creating a safe and supportive community that helps to break down barriers and create a brighter future for all.

 

What we do

Generation Hope engages in activities that are aimed at preventing and reducing opioid usage in the East African community, breaking down stigmatization across the East African community surrounding opioid usage and addiction, and removing barriers to treatment and recovery opportunities. We conduct events and workshops around the Twin Cities, advocate for culturally relevant treatment services for the East African community, facilitate interventions at the request of families, participate in Narcan distribution in the community, connect individuals to substance use disorder services, and have been working relentlessly to hinder the staggering spike in opioid overdoses since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Why, Meaning Behind Gen Hope

Why Generation Hope Matters

 

  • Generation Hope is the first culturally-specific nonprofit organization in the East-African community surrounding its work around addiction and mental-health.

  • We are an East African-led organization, and our team consists of individuals in recovery, mental health professionals such as licensed counselors and peer recovery support specialists, and members of the community.

  • Our team's personal experience with addiction and recovery has earned us a reputation as a trusted resource in our community and beyond. Through our tireless efforts, we continue to provide valuable resources and support to individuals seeking to overcome addiction and mental health challenges.

 

Meet The Board