Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health

05/26/2026

We are proud to share that our Executive Director, Dr. Mohammad Sediq Hazratzai, was honored with the Ulysses Medal for Leadership in Refugee Health from the University of California Davis School of Medicine’s Ulysses Center for Refugee Studies.

This recognition reflects Dr. Sediq’s longstanding dedication to advancing health equity and supporting immigrant and refugee communities through compassionate leadership, advocacy, and community-centered initiatives. Under his guidance, CIRH continues to strengthen culturally responsive programs and partnerships that support the health and well-being of immigrant and refugee communities across California.

This honor is also a testament to the collective efforts of the CIRH team, partners, and communities working together to advance equity and expand access to care.

Congratulations, Dr. Sediq, on this well-deserved honor!

Learn more about the award, the international impact of the Ulysses Center, and CIRH’s work: https://www.cirh.phi.org/news-updates/cirh-executive-director-dr-sediq-receives-ulysses-medal-for-leadership-in-refugee-and-immigrant-health

Photo credit: MOOTENS productions LLC

04/20/2026

Communities across the country are navigating increasing legal uncertainty related to immigration enforcement, deportation proceedings, and misinformation surrounding legal rights and protections.

In CIRH’s recent webinar, NorCal Resist shares how they are responding with community-driven solutions and what it takes to meet this moment.

🔗 Watch the webinar:

Communities across the U.S. are facing growing legal uncertainty around immigration enforcement and misinformation about rights. In this webinar, NorCal Resi...

04/14/2026

📢 Join Us for Our Upcoming Communities of Practice Meeting

📅 Wednesday, April 15 | 12:00–1:30 PM PST

This session will feature Reilly Fitzpatrick, Director of Training and Technical Assistance at the Center for Community Health and Development, who will lead a workshop on:
- Identifying effective strategies
- Building a long-term plan for organizational sustainability

Whether you work in community health, program development, or organizational leadership, this conversation offers valuable insights to support sustainable impact.

🔗 Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/Ml5oinxuQsmREAPzx5Xyzg

We hope to see you there!

This Communities of Practice session will focus on strengthening organizational sustainability and proposal development skills for organizations working with immigrant and refugee communities. Participants will hear from the Center for Community Health and Development, creators of the Community Tool...

03/20/2026

🌙 CIRH joins communities around the world in celebrating Eid ul-Fitr and Nowruz, two meaningful holidays that mark renewal and gratitude. 🌱

Eid ul-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan, a time of reflection, generosity, and community for many Muslim families. Nowruz, the solar New Year, widely celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East, welcomes the arrival of spring and symbolizes hope and new beginnings.

These celebrations remind us of the rich cultural traditions that strengthen our communities. At CIRH, we are honored to work alongside immigrant and refugee communities whose traditions and resilience enrich our shared future.

🌟 Wishing everyone celebrating a joyful Eid and Nowruz!

03/11/2026

Webinar | Building Collective Power: Partnering for Immigrant Justice

📅 April 1, 2026
⏰ 12:00 – 1:30 PM (ET)
🌐 Virtual

Communities across the country are navigating increasing legal uncertainty around immigration enforcement, deportation proceedings, and misinformation about legal rights and protections.

Join us for a conversation on how community organizations can respond to these challenges and strengthen support for immigrant communities.

In this webinar, Giselle Garcia, J.D., Programs Director at NorCal Resist, will share how the organization has developed programs to meet urgent legal needs and connect community members with legal support across Northern California.

Participants will learn about:
• Community-based strategies to support immigrants navigating legal challenges
• Key lessons and challenges from implementing legal support programs
• Approaches for cross-organizational collaboration to strengthen collective impact

👉 Register now: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nxotAubLTQaJglpZ64Ir6w #/registration

02/25/2026

📢 Community Needs Assessment — Health, Empowerment, and Resilience (HER) Initiative

We’re pleased to share a new Community Needs Assessment as part of our Health, Empowerment, and Resilience (HER) Initiative. We are seeking participants for upcoming focus group discussions with:
• Immigrant and refugee women (ages 18+)
• Caseworkers, clinicians, and service providers who work with immigrant and refugee women

These conversations will help us better understand women’s health needs, barriers to care, system-level challenges, and opportunities to strengthen culturally responsive programs and services.

If you or someone in your network may be interested, please take a look at the attached flyers for full details. You can also reach out directly via the email listed on the flyer.

02/25/2026

We honor Black History Month as a time to recognize the history, resilience, and contributions of Black communities. We also affirm our commitment throughout the year to stand for better health and opportunity for all.

02/18/2026

Across cultures and traditions, this season represents renewal, reflection, and collective care, values that connect people and communities.

Ramadan, observed from February 17 to March 19, is a sacred month of reflection and compassion for Muslims around the world, emphasizing mindfulness and care for one another.

Often symbolized by strength and a bright spirit, the Year of the Horse in the Chinese New Year welcomes new beginnings and encourages resilience and optimism.

Ash Wednesday, on February 18, marks the beginning of Lent for many Christian communities, a time of reflection, intention, and spiritual renewal.

At CIRH, we recognize that cultural and faith traditions are deeply connected to health, identity, and community well-being. We honor the diverse ways our communities find meaning and care during this season, and wish all who observe a peaceful and meaningful time.

02/11/2026

📢 Opportunity to Share Your Experience – Support for Young Adults with Neurodevelopmental Conditions

The COMPASS Project at the UC Davis MIND Institute is developing a toolkit to improve support for young people with neurodevelopmental conditions as they transition from high school into adulthood.

To help shape this resource, the team is inviting individuals in California with experience planning for this transition, whether as a young adult, family member, or supporter, to participate in focus groups or interviews.

Participants will share insights about navigating healthcare, education, employment, relationships, and daily living. Feedback will directly inform the development of a practical resource navigation toolkit designed to better support young adults with disabilities.

🔗 Learn more or sign up:
https://studypages.com/en/s/help-us-build-better-resources-for-young-adults-with-disabilities-290397/

📧 Questions? Email: COMPASS@health.ucdavis.edu

We are sharing this opportunity as a resource for our community. Please consider participating or sharing with others who may be interested.

02/04/2026

📣 Upcoming Community Workshop
Organizing for Change: Strategies to Mobilize Communities During Political Turmoil

Date & Time: Feb 12, 2026 05:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

This workshop equips immigrant- and refugee-led organizations with practical organizing and advocacy strategies to respond effectively during times of political instability and heightened enforcement. Participants will explore how political turmoil impacts their communities and learn how to build grassroots power, mobilize community members, and foster unity rooted in lived experience. Through real-world case scenarios, attendees will examine successful organizing efforts and apply lessons learned to current challenges facing immigrant and refugee communities.

Key Topics:
• Advocacy strategies during political turmoil
• Encouraging safe and meaningful civic engagement
• Building and sustaining grassroots power
• Case scenarios of effective community organizing

Register here:

This workshop equips immigrant- and refugee-led organizations with practical organizing and advocacy strategies to respond effectively during times of political instability and heightened enforcement. Participants will explore how political turmoil impacts their communities and learn how to build gr...