Parent Support Group
We had an amazing time at our parent support group meeting, where we shared breakfast and ideas about the upcoming year with one another!
News & Events – English
Henna Course Reflection
Our month-long henna education and wellness course was a huge success! Our participants had an amazing time engaging with traditional art while talking to one another and making lifelong connections.
BCPH Catalyst Award
We’re so proud to announce that one of our interns, Sirad Hassan, was named a BCPH 40 under 40 Catalyst Award Winner! This distinction names young public health professionals who are making a change in their fields. Sirad is a PhD student in Population Health Sciences at Harvard University who has been collaborating with us …
Discover Museum Visit
Thanks to the Discovery Museum for visiting our learning center and helping our families to continue to engage with STEM concepts! We had such an awesome time hosting the team and our kids loved learning from them.
Flutie 5k Recap 2025
Our team had an amazing time at the Flutie 5k! It’s a great opportunity to support an important cause while having some fun. https://www.facebook.com/reel/841991868203872
Neighborhood Villages Event
Huge thanks to the team at Neighborhood Villages for an insightful session on Early Relational Health! Our families left with practical tools and a deeper understanding of how early connections shape lifelong well-being. Grateful for your partnership and the work you do for families and communities.
Toddler Playgroup Open House
We had such a lovely time hosting families during our open house for our weekly playgroup! Our kids had such a fun time reading, playing, and chatting with one another, while our parents learned about child development, early intervention, and how SPACE supports families.
Boston Women’s Fund Visit
We had the pleasure of welcoming the Boston Women’s Fund team to our office! It was a wonderful meeting followed by a lovely lunch together. We’re so grateful for the chance to connect in person!
ADA 35th Anniversary
It was an honor to march with the team at the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council on the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the landmark act protecting those with disabilities from being discriminated against. It’s hard to believe that it was only passed in 1990 given the significant strides people with disabilities have …
Boston Women’s Fund Thank You
A huge thank you to Boston Women’s Fund for naming us recipients of the Movement Building grant, allocated to organizations dedicated to making change in their communities. With such rapidly changing laws and funding, it’s amazing to feel supported by organizations who see our vision for a more equitable Boston.
Save the Harbor
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Save the Harbor / Save the Bay for sponsoring an incredible trip to Spectacle Island. It was a day filled with adventure, discovery, and connection with nature. The kids had the chance to enjoy the beach and learn more about its history and the importance of preserving …
Get Air Jump Day
Big thank you to Get Air Sports and Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism for sponsoring an amazing open jump and fun day for our kids. Your generosity gave them a day full of fun, laughter, and great memories. We truly appreciate your support and commitment to the Somali community.
Bug Day with Haley House Boston
We had such an amazing time at our fun bug exploration day with our friends at the Thornton Street Farm with Haley House Boston! Our group learned so much about bugs, did fun STEM activities, and cultivated our awesome garden.
Wellness Workshop
We had the absolute honor of welcoming Reyna DeLacruz of @sirenas.secret all the way from Lawrence to Roxbury! She led a beautiful and healing workshop on how to use essential oils to promote wellness and care for our bodies, minds, and spirits. We’re so grateful to Reyna and her beautiful mother for holding such a …
Masshealth Education Session
We had an amazing meeting discussing MassHealth coverage and resources at our event Wednesday June 25th 10:30 AM-12:30 PM! We were joined by the team at Federation for Children with Special Needs who answered questions using their expertise.
Haley House Field Trip
We had an amazing time introducing young minds to the magic of gardening! The kids got their hands dirty (and LOVED it!) while learning how to grow fresh veggies and herbs . It was a week full of smiles, discovery, and community. Big shoutout to our incredible volunteers and to Disha for helping us plant …
Thornton Street Urban Farm
We had such an amazing time gardening at Thornton Street Urban Farm at Haley House Boston! Our group is so excited to keep nourishing our plot. Thanks so much to Disha from Thornton Street for all of your help organizing this experience!
The Boston Foundation Grant
We are so honored to be a recipient of funding from The Boston Foundation‘s Safety Net Grant! They’ve been a continuous source of support for our programming throughout the years, and we’re immensely grateful, especially in these uncertain times. They’ve proven themselves to be a champion of immigrants, people with disabilities, and other minorities through …
Muslim Mental Health
Our team presented to the Muslim Mental Health Conference as advocates discussing autism stigma in Somali refugee communities. We discussed how cultural beliefs, migration, and systemic barriers shape our community’s perception of autism and delay diagnoses. We also shared how our grassroots work involves hosting workshops, support groups, and educational sessions for all.
UN HR Forum
It was an honor to present at the United Nations Human Rights Permanent Forum on People of African Descent as advocates for the Somali community, offering recommendations to address the issue of stigma against autism!
Autism Advocacy Day
SPACE was honored to attend Autism Advocacy Day at the State House in April! Grateful to stand alongside so many passionate advocates, families, and leaders working to create a more inclusive and supportive world for the autism community. Together, we’re making our voices heard!
State of the City
Our executive director was honored to be part of the prayer for our great city during Mayor Michelle Wu 吳弭‘s State of the City address for the City of Boston! We appreciate the opportunity to engage with such a great crowd.
Massachusetts State House Visit
The 47th Legislative Reception brought together passionate advocates, policymakers, and community leaders, all united in one mission: advancing inclusion, accessibility, and support for individuals with disabilities and their families. It was powerful to reconnect with friends and allies who share our vision of equity. These moments remind us why we fight for meaningful policy change, …
Visions of Community
We had an amazing time speaking at the Visions of Community Conference, discussing the shift to independence that many adults with disabilities face.
LZF Funding
We are deeply honored to receive funding from the The Lenny Zakim Fund to support our work this year! Their commitment to equity and community-driven change makes a real difference, and we are grateful for their partnership in advancing our mission. Thank you for believing in our work and the families we serve.
Grant News
We were honored to be a recipient of the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism Autism Community Impact Grant! This funding will allow us to further our mission of serving our community and advocating for the children with autism we serve. We are excited to continue creating fun, inclusive events that any child can enjoy …
Pizza Party Playdate
Had a great time at our pizza party playdate, kicking off our weekly series of developmentally appropriate playdates at our new center in Roxbury!
Basketball
Had an awesome time attending the Basketball Inclusion program with the Black Autism Coalition!
Weekly Play Group
SPACE’s new weekly play group initiative is designed to be fun, inclusive, and educational for the whole family! We’ve been providing children with a place to come play and have fun with their peers. We have lots of toys, games, and even a bouncy house, as well as educational toys designed to enhance their development …
Health Literacy 2024
The newest iteration of our 10 week health literacy course is designed to teach you how to navigate the healthcare system while taking care of yourself! This course is perfect for anyone with low levels of health literacy who wants to feel more confident in managing their health. Classes are taught in a supportive and …
Senior Paint Night
Our group had an amazing time at senior paint night! Our seniors enjoyed chatting, sharing their stories through art, and learning new and traditional crafts.
Tea and Talk Event
We had an amazing time at the Tea and Talk event, sharing stories and crafts with our community.
Stars of the Spectrum Event
We had an amazing time at the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism Stars of the Spectrum event! It was a wonderful evening filled with inspiration, celebration, and community spirit. It was so cool for our families to see so many talented performers with autism! Thank you, Flutie Foundation, for hosting such an incredible event …
Save the Harbor Event
We had an amazing time visiting Georges Island with Save the Harbor / Save the Bay! Over 200 participants from SPACE attended. We had some great times: Our young ones had a blast fishing, and it was heartwarming to see their excitement as they caught their first fish. We enjoyed a delightful picnic on the …
Community Grant Winners
It’s an honor to be named a community grant winner from Northeastern University City & Community Engagement! We’re so grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in our local community.
Panel with Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council and National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
We presented a panel titled “A Mother’s Perspective: The Special Education Challenge for Immigrant Families and the Power of Diverse Leadership.” Asha, Cynthia and Raquel spoke openly and passionately about their own experiences as mothers of children with I/DD. This topic was meant to highlight the struggle that families that come from underrepresented or underserved …
Get Air+Flutie Foundation Event
We had an absolute blast at our recent event at Get Air Sports in collaboration with Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, bringing together kids with all abilities along with their families. It was a day filled with high-flying fun and laughter as the kids enjoyed jumping around and making new friends, while parents had …
Mother’s Day Event
What an incredible Mother’s Day celebration and grand opening! We had the joy of hosting a special event for the amazing mothers of children with disabilities, right here in our new space in Roxbury. It was a day filled with love, laughter, and gratitude as we celebrated the incredible strength and dedication of these wonderful …
Reproductive Justice Symposium
We had a wonderful time attending the Boston Women’s Fund’s “Where Do We Go From Here? A Reproductive Justice Symposium” and discussing our work in the context of the greater mission of women’s empowerment.
Eid Celebration 2024
What a fantastic day we had at SPACE’s Eid celebration! Attendees joined us as we came together to celebrate the end of Ramadan and our beautiful culture. After a long month of fasting, it was great to come together and feast. A huge shoutout to Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester for graciously hosting us …
Annual Legislative Reception at State House
We had an incredible time at the Annual Legislative Reception at the State House!
Arts and Crafts Social Event
We invited the Acton Discovery Museum to visit us and discuss their programs and share fun, hands on activities for our families! Our children had a great time and our families even received one year of free membership to the museum. Thank you to The Discovery Museum for this continued partnership!
Discovery Museum Family Fun Day
We invited the Acton Discovery Museum to visit us and discuss their programs and share fun, hands on activities for our families! Our children had a great time and our families even received one year of free membership to the museum. Thank you to The Discovery Museum for this continued partnership!
Speech and Language Development Event
We hosted an amazing, educational event to discuss how to navigate speech and language services for children with disabilities, especially those in multilingual households! Our families learned about how to work within these systems and how to advocate for your child.
Call and Response: A Narrative of Reverence Tour
Thank you to the Resilient Sisterhood Project and the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research for inviting our organization to a deeply moving exhibit discussing the history of gynecology as it relates to Black women. The exhibit, titled “Call and Response: A Narrative of Reverence to Our Foremothers in Gynecology” explores the reality …
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Parent Engagement Seminar
Our families had a fantastic time at our parent engagement seminar! We learned so many skills together, including how to educate our kids through play, engage with their interests, and bring together the whole family.
Tea and Talk Event
Had a great time discussing wellness and drinking some tea with friends at the Islamic Boston Cultural Center! Thanks to the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement for supporting this essential work.
Somali Parents Support Group Recap
Had a great time discussing support services for parents and having an open discussion space for parents of children with disabilities!
Waystone Health and Human Services Health Expo
It was an honor to table at Waystone Health & Human Services / Fidelity House CRC Health Expo and discuss all the ways that SPACE can provide resources and advocacy support to families in the community! Thanks to the organizers for their work in making this event a success.
Stars of the Spectrum
Our families had such an incredible time at Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism‘s Stars of the Spectrum Concert at Fenway Park! It was a fantastic evening of celebrating the creativity of performers with autism and meeting new friends. Thanks to the Flutie Foundation for putting together such an exciting event!
Youth Engagement Program
Had a wonderful time at our youth engagement night, where we had young people in our community discuss openly and network!
Boston Public Library Tour
Our families had an awesome time touring Boston Public Library in Copley Square, learning about the resources they offer, and watching a puppet show!
Autism Advocacy Day
A group of SPACE parents had a great time attending the 18th annual Autism Advocacy Day at the Massachusetts State House! Here, families and advocates discussed the importance of having proper services and supports for people with disabilities.
Check out our Boston Globe article!
Exciting news! SPACE was featured in the The Boston Globe! We’re grateful for the coverage that highlights our work supporting Somali children with disabilities. Check out the article to learn more about our mission, read a story from one of our families, and hear about the impact we’re making! Thank you, Boston Globe, for sharing …
Healthy Living Information Session and Dinner
We had a great time talking about our upcoming Healthy Living program with families in the community!
Eid Day of Play
SPACE held a day of play to celebrate Eid! All families were invited to this fun event at APEX Entertainment.
Family 2 Family Conference Tabling
SPACE had the pleasure of tabling at the Family 2 Family Conference at the Reggie Lewis Center!
Visions of Community Conference
Members of the SPACE team were honored to be featured speakers at the Federation for Children with Special Needs annual Visions of Community Conference! Our executive director, Asha Abdullahi, Public Health Specialist, Rayna Haque, and team member, Maha Sheikh, discussed health literacy through the lens of our organization.
Weaving Well-Being: Report on Community Mental Health and Wellness
In collaboration with the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) and The Leah Zallman Center for Immigrant Health Research, SPACE and our fellow immigrant serving institutions is honored to present “Weaving Well-being: a New Paradigm for Community Mental Health and Wellness.” This report outlines the work we’ve done for the Somali community in the non-clinical …
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Mayor Wu and the Somali Community in Boston
SPACE was honored to meet with Mayor Michelle Wu and her team as a part of the Somali community in Boston.
Special Education Workshop
SPACE held a Special Education Workshop that went over laws, rules, and regulations that families should know as they relate to their child with a disability.
IEP Workshop Series
SPACE held an educational Individualized Educational Program (IEP) workshop series designed to help parents advocate for themselves and their children when applying for an IEP. An IEP stands for Individualized Education Program. It is a legal document developed for students who have been identified with a disability that affects their academic performance. The IEP is …
Graduation
Celebrating our first cohort for our Health Literacy class.
Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays from the team of the Somali Parents Advocacy Center for Education (SPACE).
Alternatives to Guardianship
We hosted an event to discuss about alternatives to guardianship and the guardianship process.
Untold Stories 2022
It was an honor to attend Untold Stories 2022 with The Lenny Zakim Fund! Sharing stories with one another is one of the best ways to destigmatize issues and promote empathy within our communities and beyond.
Parent Engagement Webinar
We hosted an event to promote parent engagement and advocacy strategies during the back-to-school season! Attendees learned how to talk to teachers and school management and what to do to be ready before school starts. This was a fun, educational event that we hope to continue conducting!
Resources for the Whole Family!
As summer vacation approaches, children and their families will be home together. We want to support our families by giving them FREE supplies that encourage creativity, fine motor skills, and problem-solving for both the kids and parents! These relieve stress and promote fun team-building for all members of the family. At SPACE, we want to …
SPACE Celebration!
We hosted an event to celebrate the work of our staff, families, and children before school started! We also gave parents a platform to share their experiences with our organization and shared mental health resources, including free gift baskets for community members that included self-care items. It was a lively night of dancing, eating, and …
Impact of COVID-19 On Our Community Event
We hosted an event on the impact of COVID-19 on our community and discussed what we can do going forward. After sharing updates on changes within the Boston Public School system, members were invited to share issues they faced that included mental health issues, stress, and changes in diet and exercise. We shared methods of …
Community Conversation on Stress
We hosted an event where community members were invited to discuss stress. This encouraged an open, honest discussion on sources of stress that our members faced and how we can best address them. Attendees shared how holistic methods, spirituality, and discussing mental health openly have been coping mechanisms in their day-to-day lives.
Spreading information about the COVID-19 vaccines to the Somali community!
Today we set up a table in Timilty Park in hopes of spreading information about the COVID-19 vaccines to the Somali community! We are giving out free masks and hand sanitizers and pamphlets to encourage healthy habits during this pandemic.