Who We Are
Our Mission
Lifeline Community Center exists to create opportunity, stability, and community well-being for Somali, African, immigrant, and underserved communities. We deliver culturally responsive programs that remove barriers to success through education support, job readiness and placement services, youth prevention and leadership programs, and community-based resource navigation. Through trusted partnerships and community-led solutions, we help individuals and families build skills, access services, and achieve long-term self-sufficiency.
Lifeline Community Center is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to serving and strengthening our community.
Our Vision
By 2030, Lifeline Community Center envisions a community where every Somali, African, immigrant, and underserved family has access to the resources and opportunities needed to succeed—high-quality education support, job training and placement, youth development, health and wellness guidance, and essential community services. Our vision is to build a future where families achieve stability, self-sufficiency, and long-term prosperity.
Leadership
Lifeline Community Center is led by Executive Director Ilyas Maye, who brings years of community leadership experience supporting immigrant and refugee communities through workforce development, job placement support, outreach coordination, youth engagement planning, re-entry support planning, and community resource navigation.
Lifeline is also supported by a growing team of qualified staff and community partners with experience in direct service delivery, program coordination, and culturally responsive community outreach. Our team brings strong knowledge of local service systems and community needs, including employment pathways, youth and family support, education access, and health and social service navigation.
This combined leadership and staff capacity strengthens Lifeline’s ability to deliver high-quality services today and to responsibly expand into future county and state contracting opportunities, including workforce training, housing support services, and youth development programming as funding and approvals are secured.
In addition, Lifeline leadership and staff experience include assisting community members with health coverage navigation and supporting organizational readiness for future MNsure Insurance Navigator services (coming soon) once the application is approved.
Our Core Values
Lifeline Community Center is committed to strengthening Somali, African, immigrant, and underserved communities by operating with purpose and integrity. Our values guide every program, partnership, and service we provide:
- Community-Driven Solutions: We listen first and build programs rooted in community voice and lived experience.
- Cultural Respect & Inclusion: We honor culture, language, and identity while creating safe and welcoming spaces.
- Equity & Opportunity: We work to reduce disparities and expand access to education, employment, and resources.
- Compassion & Dignity: We serve people with respect, empathy, and confidentiality.
- Integrity & Trust: We maintain transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership in all operations.
- Partnership & Collaboration: We strengthen outcomes through collaboration with employers, schools, and service providers.
- Growth & Innovation: We adapt, improve, and expand services to meet evolving community needs.
