Abdullahi Ali is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gateway Community Services. Born in Somalia, raised in Kenya, he resettled in Maine in 2009 after spending much of his youth in a refugee camp. While in Kenya, he studied sociology at the University of Nairobi, and worked with humanitarian and development agencies in the country. He has been regularly involved in programs and income-generating activities for vulnerable communities, as well as in peace education, women’s empowerment, and skills development. He has also worked for Catholic Charities of Maine and Community Counseling Services.

Abdullahi studied Social Science at Southern Maine Community College and the University of Southern Maine, and earned a Master of Science degree in Justice Studies from Southern New Hampshire University. In the past six years Abdullahi has worked with survivors of torture and individuals and families with mental illness in Portland, Maine. 

He currently lives in Westbrook, and is a member of Portland Rotary.
 

Our guest speaker this week was Nancy Markowitz, who is a spokesperson for “Welcoming the Stranger,” a group devoted to assisting those who have legally made it to America and are seeking asylum from persecution in another land.

About a year and a half ago, Ms. Markowitz attended the initial meeting of a Jewish-based group of caring individuals who saw a huge need to assist those seeking asylum. When refugees arrive after their struggle to get here, it’s the start of another chapter without any assurances, and risk being turned away without any protection.  

It’s important for an asylum seeker to have somebody help them find their way through the legal labyrinth. Before the first meeting ended, Nancy had decided she had to help. As a member of Portland’s Jewish community, she is familiar with what it’s like to be without a safe homeland and to be the focus of hatred and injustice. She immediately took an assignment and became the mentor for a family escaping persecution in the Ivory Coast, Africa. The family consisted of two parents and their two young children and they were being housed in a shelter and little more. When they first reach the U.S., they are not allowed to seek work for the first 6 months and are not allowed to have any money or valuable assets. The plight of these human beings is not lost on Nancy and the other members of  “Welcoming the Stranger.”

The Welcoming group becomes a reliable resource for the asylum seekers and legal matters are tended to by specialists. While the wheels of justice grind on, sometimes for years, there is the daily living needs to contend with. These people are here without a job, a place to live, furniture or a financial base. Since they can’t have assets, they need help with common daily needs like travel, clothing, toiletries and cleaning. Nancy emphasized how dedicated and determined the seekers are to find ways to live on their own and not require assistance from the community. The Ivory Coast family, despite incredible struggles, including the mother being diagnosed with breast cancer requiring treatment, has found a rental and secured furniture with the assistance of the Welcoming group and “Furniture Friends.” The father has found a job, striving to make things better. While recovering from her breast cancer, the mother has used the time to become proficient in English and she looks forward to getting a job to help the family become a functioning part of their new homeland.

The story of the Ivory Coast family is but one of many. Nancy proudly says that when you assist a family, you morph from mentor to friend. One of her happiest moments is when the South African couple she helped invited her to be present at the birth of their first child and was told that she would now be the grandmother to their little girl. 

Nancy and the Welcoming group have helped asylum seekers from the Ivory Coast, Congo, Burundi, and South Africa over the past 1.5 years. They have worked with over 100 “matches,” but still have many more families needing assistance. There are many small things we can do to help, such as donating used cell phones, lap tops and good furniture, which will be distributed to those in need.

If you would like to help “Welcoming the Stranger,” please contact Nancy Markowitz at: nmark88@gmail.com.
 

Photo L-R: Andreea Paine, Nancy Markowitz and President Don Zillman.

President Don Zillman began our meeting by welcoming 58 members and 1 guest at the Holiday Inn By-The-Bay. Past President Russ Burleigh provided the invocation, reciting the poem “Autumn is Here." Past President Bowen Depke led us in the pledge to our flag and Russ led us in patriotic song with “God Bless America."

President Don mentioned the celebration of life for Gloria Tewhey, wife of Past President John Tewhey, that was held on Sunday, Oct. 15th. Don also discussed the attendance at the Oct. 14th Back Cove 5K Race, including Andy Stone, himself and Jennifer Johnson (Andy Stone's fiance). 

We bid adieu and buona fortuna to Michael Greer, as he is headed to the other Portland for what sounds like a terrific career opportunity with the Oregon Ballet. We will miss you, Michael! (Photo at right)

President Don acknowledged the return of Philip Rhinelander and Joel Gratwick, who were at our meeting this week. President Don also welcomed our non-Rotarian guest and acknowledged those members who make our meeting happen. 
 

Charlie Frair reminded us of the details on our Veteran’s lunch Friday, November 10th, at the Italian Heritage Center. Sign up sheets for volunteers were on the tables and Charlie reminded all to go the club website (portlandrotary.org) to register their attendance and any guests they are bringing, or call Elise Hodgkins to register (899-6342). Charlie went into explaining the mission of the dinner, its overall purpose and intentions. The committee has developed working goals for a five-year plan for this annual event.

Chair of the Community Service Committee, Gracie Johnston announced several service opportunities: Oct. 25th 3:30 p.m. early set-up volunteers, along with more volunteers needed at 4:30, for Preble Street Resource Soup Kitchen. Contact Gracie at gracie.johnston@wcsh6.com;  November 17th, there will be a shoe drive for Preble St Resource Center — bring your gently used or new shoes to the meeting for the benefit of the less fortunate in our city; the Salvation Army holiday bell ringing by our club is an annual tradition, so from 12:00-1:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday December 4-22nd a kettle set up at Monument Square will be staffed by teams-of-two Rotarians. Sign up sheets are forth coming. 

Gracie then led us in singing “It’s a Grand Old Flag” and we nailed the key change. 

Dr. Roger Fagan asked the custodians of the hearing aid donation boxes to retrieve the boxes and get them to him, so he can repair the donated hearing aids before he departs for the Dominican Republic early next year. 

Lili Brown asked for volunteer readers at Lyseth Elementary School. If you can and want to help, contact Lili at: lilinbrown@gmail.com.

Dave Putnam discussed the recent visit by our member volunteers to Long Creek Cedars Unit, where Past President Jim Willey donated pumpkins to be carved by the residents, then brought to the Veterans’ Home - a win-win situation for all.

Tom Nickerson conducted the weekly raffle, where Dick Giles' name was drawn by our speaker. Dick drew the Eight of Hearts, losing his chance at $980. Next week promises a four-figure prize.
 

                          When
Project              Who to Contact

Preble Street        4th Wednesday ea month
Resource Ctr        4-6:30 pm
Soup Kitchen        Gracie Johnston
                           gracie.johnston@wcsh6.com

Game Night         3rd Tuesday ea month
Long Creek          Mike Fortunato
Youth Center        michael.k.fortunato@gmail.com
                           or Jim Willey
                           jimandbarbarawilley@gmail.com