Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants - CERI

06/10/2026

Our Voice. Our Passion.

06/10/2026

CERI celebrates Immigrant Heritage Month 2026 throughout the month of June honoring the history, cultures, and foundational contributions of immigrants in the United States. Established nationwide in June 2014 by the I Stand With Immigrants Initiative and FWD.us, the annual celebration highlights the shared diversity of our country.

Governors across the country, including those in California, Michigan, Colorado, and Pennsylvania, have issued official proclamations recognizing the critical economic and cultural assets immigrant communities bring to their states.

06/10/2026

“When the CERI community comes together, amazing things happen! Every Friday, our Elder Men’s and Women’s Groups meet separately. However, this particular Friday, they combined their sessions to spend time together and, for a moment, become children again.

Through the art of painting, they not only expressed their creativity but also revisited cherished memories from their lives. Some of these memories were painful to reflect on, while others brought joy and laughter. The colors they chose reflected their unique personalities, experiences, and emotions.

I am delighted to share this collection of special moments—moments when feelings became emotions, emotions became memories, and memories found expression through art. These paintings tell stories that words alone cannot capture and remind us of the healing, connection, and joy that creativity can bring. Please enjoy the photos from this beautiful and meaningful gathering.”
Roger Remera writer & photographer 📸

CERI proudly thanks and appreciates the East Bay Foundation on Aging .org for their 2025 Grant to CERI for making art sessions and elder community building possible.

06/10/2026

CERI’s Nepali Community joined in camaraderie, happiness and the joy of being together in the beautiful nature of Mt. Shasta Trinity Campground. Sharing delicious food, activities, music, campfires and the bonding of familial community & love!

06/09/2026

“When our families are struggling, we don't usually call a therapist. We call someone we already know and trust.
UCSF's Healthforce Center just finished a yearlong study of 15 Bay Area AANHPI-serving organizations - , , .center, , and others - using lay counselors, peer supporters, and community health workers who share clients' language, culture, and life experience.
The results were consistent: isolation and anxiety went down. Sleep and willingness to engage with clinical care went up.
One program manager put it simply: "They came through the door looking down, slumped over. Six months later, they're dancing at Zumba."
This model works. And it needs to be funded like it works.
The full UCSF report is in our bio. If you or someone you know funds AAPI health, https://asianpacificfund.org/news-resources/building-aanhpi-mental-health/ mental health, or immigrant causes -please read it and share it.”
Asian Pacific Fund

At a moment when federal protections, healthcare coverage, and trust in public systems are unraveling for immigrant families, the Bay Area’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities are absorbing a compounding mental health toll that is largely invisible.

06/07/2026

Good news! The deadline to
apply for our PAID CERI Summer Youth Leader positions has been extended to June 15. Don't miss your chance to build leadership skills, make an impact, and get and get paid while uplifting your community this summer!
Link for application:
http://forms.gle/BM2Ze2PiYVC8S9T8

06/06/2026

CERI joined the CPEHN bus tour and rally on Thursday against the Senate proposed cut to the Commission for Behavioral Health's Community Advocacy Program. If adopted in the final budget, this cut would directly impact our Right to Heal and Immigrant & Refugee projects. We encourage everyone to make calls as soon as possible to all Assemblymembers that represent areas you serve AND Speaker Rivas, Budget Chair Gabriel, and Subcommittee Chair Addis.

Who to call:
Your Assemblymember: usehttps://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/ to find your State Assemblymember
Assembly leadership: these are the key decisionmakers on the budget:
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas: (916) 319-2029
Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel: (916) 319-2046
Subcommittee Chair Dawn Addis: (916) 319-2030

The ask:
We urge the Legislature to reject the proposed $6.7 million cut to the Commission for Behavioral Health's Community Advocacy Program in the final state budget. Eliminating this program would undermine an essential source of community engagement and advocacy that helps ensure California's behavioral health reforms are equitable, community-informed, and responsive to the needs of communities across the state.

Thank you for your advocacy towards Behavioral Health and our immigrant communities.

06/05/2026

CERI witnessed the beauty of art as the Thursday women’s group enjoyed not only painting but also expressing themselves. A painting workshop for the human spirit.
Empowering refugees to express and heal.
COLORS & COURAGE Guided by: Melissa Mahoney -.com

Thank you Roger Remera for beautiful photographs and the creative guidance by Melissa Mahoney.

06/04/2026

CERI hosted the Alameda County Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander AANHPI Advisory Committee Meeting on May 28th with delicious Burmese food cooked by a community member as well as wonderful pot luck contributions! We discussed HR1, ACBHD, grant recipients and storytelling. Thank you to all who attended!