Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health

10/10/2025

🌿 World Mental Health Day reminds us that mental health is a universal right.

For many refugees and immigrants, starting over in a new country can bring deep emotional challenges, such as grief, uncertainty, and the stress of rebuilding from the ground up.

Accessible, culturally responsive mental health care can make all the difference. If you are looking for referrals to online or in-person mental health services for refugee and immigrant communities in California, visit https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HfXjkpJuCbmWi7ZsfUITp3FND5msWTUYWIMbPI-Iv2w/edit?usp=sharing

10/10/2025

📢 The City of Sacramento is seeking ambassadors to strengthen connections with diverse and underrepresented communities. Ambassadors receive a $6,000 annual stipend and help bridge communication between the City and local residents.

🔗 Learn more:

The City of Sacramento is recruiting “community ambassadors” to build and maintain relationships with community partners and residents who represent culturally and linguistically diverse populations and historically underrepresented communities. Led by City’s Neighborhood Development Action Te...

10/09/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

After resettling in a new country, life can feel overwhelming. But taking care of your health matters. Breast cancer can affect anyone, and early screening can save your life, even if you feel healthy.

Many clinics offer free or low-cost mammograms, translation support, and women doctors who understand your language and culture.

👉 What you can do:
- Talk to your primary doctor or nurse about breast cancer screening.
- Visit your local health center or ask a community organization about free or low-cost screenings.
- Encourage your sisters, mothers, and friends to get checked.
- Your voice may help another woman take action. Share this message!

10/07/2025

In September, CIRH hosted an inspiring conversation that explored how Islam, Christianity, and Judaism can nurture healing, sanctuary, and hope for displaced communities worldwide.

Faith leaders shared powerful insights on how communities can move from empathy to action and offer practical, compassionate support for refugees and asylum seekers through interfaith solidarity and collaboration.

🎙️ Featured Speakers:
Dr. Omar Reda — Founder, Healing Trauma Institute
Reverend Canon Eric Metoyer — Episcopal Diocese of California
Rabbi Julie Bressler — Associate Rabbi, Temple Sinai, Oakland

Watch the full conversation to learn how faith can become a source of healing and belonging:
🔗

As global displacement reaches record levels, refugees and asylum seekers face immense trauma, loss, and uncertainty. This powerful conversation brings toget...

09/24/2025

🌟 Community Spotlight: Dr. Mohammad Sediq Hazratzai 🌟

When Dr. Sediq arrived in the U.S., his medical degree and years of global public health leadership couldn’t open doors right away. But through persistence and with support from Upwardly Global, he rebuilt his career path. Today, he leads the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health, helping thousands of newcomers access care and brighter futures.

As a physician and refugee himself, Dr. Sediq is paying it forward by mentoring refugee physicians and advocating for refugee immigrant professionals on Upwardly Global’s Board. His leadership continues to guide CIRH to grow as one of the largest refugee-serving organizations in California.

💬 “Be hopeful. Be consistent. Be persistent. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity.”

🔗 Learn more about his journey:

“It all started with Upwardly Global… and it snowballed from there.” When Dr. Mohammad Sediq Hazratzai arrived in San Francisco in 2016, he brought with him an impressive resume: a […]

09/22/2025

Upcoming Webinar: Mastering Know Your Rights Training for Your Community
📅 October 8, 2025
🕛 12:00 – 1:30 PM PST
Join us for a training presented in collaboration with Project ANAR. This session will equip community members, service providers, advocates, and allies with the tools to deliver impactful Know Your Rights workshops in their communities.
✅ Gain practical strategies to lead Know Your Rights workshops effectively
✅ Build confidence in supporting community members and answering common questions

🎤 Featured Speakers:
Laila Ayub – Co-founder of Project ANAR & immigration defense lawyer
Sara Kohgadai – Co-director at Project ANAR & immigration attorney

Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your advocacy and support refugee and immigrant communities.

👉 Register today: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sVt5WAXFQp-m8dJ_RLsAzg #/registration

08/29/2025

🌍 Refugees need us now more than ever.

At CIRH, we are calling on our community to:
✊ Stand with Afghan refugees amid urgent funding cuts
🕊️ Support refugee women in accessing safe and dignified healthcare
💜 Stand with Ukrainian refugees in their hope for freedom and stability

Here’s how you can help today:
✨ Funders – Invest in programs that improve refugee health and well-being. Partner with us.
✨ Partners & Community Leaders – Collaborate with us to scale solutions and share expertise.
✨ Community Members – Volunteer, participate in events, and support others in need. Join the community.

Join us today in supporting refugee resilience.
Scan the QR code or email cirh@phi.org to get involved.

08/28/2025

Don't forget to register for our webinar next Wednesday: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5O0jc3djSlm66LuUnmtOsw #/registration

Upcoming Webinar: Faith & Healing: An Interfaith Dialogue on Supporting Refugees
📅 Wednesday, September 3, 2025
🕛 12–1:30 PM PST

Around the world, millions are forced to leave their homes, facing loss, trauma, and uncertainty. In these moments of profound hardship, faith communities have a vital role to play in offering healing, sanctuary, and hope

Join leading faith leaders for a powerful conversation on how spiritual traditions and interfaith solidarity can foster healing, belonging, and resilience among displaced communities.

✨ Hear from:
Dr. Omar Reda, Healing Trauma Institute
Reverend Canon Eric Metoyer, Episcopal Diocese of California
Rabbi Julie Bressler, Temple Sinai

🔗 Register now: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5O0jc3djSlm66LuUnmtOsw #/registration

08/26/2025

El Cajon Valley High School is looking for a Community Liaison who would work on the ECV Community Center team. Learn more here:

Community Liaison I: The job of Community Liaison I is done for the purpose/s of improving communication and student achievement by promoting parent and community involvement in the education process; providing information on services available to eligible students and families; conveying informatio...

08/15/2025

Every day, millions of people are forced to leave their homes because of conflict, persecution, and violence.

At the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH), we believe that everyone, no matter where they come from, deserves dignity, compassion, and access to care.

We work alongside communities, service providers, and institutions to deliver culturally tailored programs, training, and trauma-informed support, supporting refugees and immigrants not only to survive, but truly thrive.

📽 Watch the video to see how we are making an impact: https://youtu.be/tDI0bls6oUo?si=-omlsTtXGHyrglwv

🌐 Learn more: www.cirh.phi.org
💛 Support our work: https://publichealthinstitute.networkforgood.com/projects/215801-sehat-institute

Every day, millions are forced to leave home due to conflict, persecution, and violence. At the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH), we believe ev...

08/15/2025

Families in Modesto & Tracy – You’re Invited! Join us for a warm and engaging Dawat Invite with great food 🍽, community, and meaningful conversations

📍 Modesto: 11 AM – 2 PM
📍 Tracy: 5 PM – 8 PM
📅 Saturday, August 23, 2025

Must RSVP! Please call 949-400-7942 or 310-985-3845

08/11/2025

Upcoming Webinar: Faith & Healing: An Interfaith Dialogue on Supporting Refugees
📅 Wednesday, September 3, 2025
🕛 12–1:30 PM PST

Around the world, millions are forced to leave their homes, facing loss, trauma, and uncertainty. In these moments of profound hardship, faith communities have a vital role to play in offering healing, sanctuary, and hope

Join leading faith leaders for a powerful conversation on how spiritual traditions and interfaith solidarity can foster healing, belonging, and resilience among displaced communities.

✨ Hear from:
Dr. Omar Reda, Healing Trauma Institute
Reverend Canon Eric Metoyer, Episcopal Diocese of California
Rabbi Julie Bressler, Temple Sinai

🔗 Register now: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5O0jc3djSlm66LuUnmtOsw #/registration