Sabaa is a former refugee from Iraq. Sabaa received her Master’s degree of Education in Early Childhood from Grand Canyon University in 2016. She is also currently working on her Doctoral degree in Education, Organizational Leadership at Grand Canyon University, and is expected to graduate in 2024. She has experience working with refugees by working as an Arabic interpreter and a teacher.

Holly has three decades of experience as an attorney and counselor at law in family and civil law. She is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law. She has a small office at the AARRC, where she works with refugee families in crisis, assisting them in court and advising on domestic violence issues.

Asawer is a former refugee from Iraq. She received her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Egypt. She is also a certified Pharmacy Technician. She used to work with refugees by volunteering at the AARRC, where she helped them apply for jobs as well as taught them English. She also used to work as a medical interpreter with refugees.

Dr. Katherine E. Freeman comes to the AARRC with over 15 years of experience in the design, implementation, and management of social services and non-profit programs in the United States (U.S.). Dedicating her life to the furthering of global social justice, Dr. Freeman’s expertise is in the development and oversight of programs addressing gender-based violence as a pressing, international, and intersectional issue. In addition, Dr. Freeman has experience working with migrants and refugees in Guatemala and along the U.S.-México border. Dr. Freeman is honored to contribute her skills and knowledge to the AARRC, where she hopes to be of further service to refugees and their vital communities in Phoenix.

Alzahra is a first-generation American; both of her partners are Iraqi refugees. She is currently studying for a Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry education and working at the AARRC. Her role at the AARRC involves supervising the youth group, where she connects with refugee youth by relating to their experiences and empathizing with their struggles. She also oversees AARRC financial and budgetary issues. Alzahra has been with the AARRC since the age of 12, starting as a volunteer, then progressing to a case worker, and now serving as a development manager. She is thrilled to be part of this team and to contribute to making refugees feel more welcome every day.

Alice is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who came to the U.S. ten years ago. She is a single mother of four and a grandmother of two. Her experience taking care of her family makes her a hard-working and compassionate AARRC employee, one who is fully dedicated to helping her fellow refugees secure the help that they need.

Alice feels called to work at the AARRC due to her prior experience working with refugee families and women to help them access healthcare services.

In addition, Alice has also been an interpreter for refugees from Africa in various medical settings. Alice is also experienced working with non-refugee populations as a caregiver in the behavioral health field and holds a B.A. in nursing.

At the AARRC, Alice works as a Women’s Program Coordinator and Case Manager, specializing in Congolese cultural issues and needs. Alice speaks Swahili, French, Lingala, Kinyarwanda, Luganda, Kiluba, Kikongo, and English.

Manijeh is a refugee from Afghanistan who is passionate about helping other refugees learn how to navigate financial, social, and economic life in the U.S. Manijeh is a single mom of two, which she believes endows her with the necessary skills and motivation to help fellow refugees.

Manijeh came to the U.S. with her mother and sister in 2003. Manijeh had a lot of struggles adjusting to life in the U.S.; she experienced severe bullying when she was growing up. This ultimately led her to pursue a career serving other refugees as she did not want them to experience the isolation that she experienced.

At the AARRC, Manijeh works as a Women’s Program Specialist and Case Manager. Prior to her time with the AARRC, Manijeh served as a translator for the military. She has also worked as a property manager. In addition, she has served the Phoenix community as a crisis volunteer for a local domestic violence organization. She speaks Farsi, Pashto, Dari, Spanish, and English.

In her free time, she continues to express her dedication to service by feeding the poor and partnering with her community to help people in Afghanistan.

Allen is a former refugee from Malaysia. He passed the State Bar examination and is an attorney in the State of New York with the Supreme Court (Appellate Division) and an immigration attorney in Arizona First Department (1992 – present). As an immigration law attorney, Allen volunteers his time assisting staff and refugee clients with immigration issues.

Muataz is a former refugee from Iraq. He received his certificate in Construction Management from Glendale Community College. He has worked with refugees since 2012 with AARRC. He directs and coordinates business and department activities, and assists the President with most aspects of the work, and handles correspondence, phone calls, emails and so forth. He also provides cultural information to healthcare providers in order to ensure appropriate provision of health services. He translates procedural information to facilitate understanding between doctors and patients.