A new organization in Orange County is focused on championing the interests of South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African communities.

The SAMENA Collective, comprised of 17 nonprofit agencies in Orange County, advocates, creates policies, collects data and shares resources for underserved South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African communities, SAMENA Collective spokesperson Rida Hamida said.

The group also provides mental health support tailored specifically to members of the SAMENA community who experience discrimination and isolation, Hamida said. Additionally, the group addresses housing issues and serves as a collective voice for community needs.

Rima Nashashibi, founder and president of Global Hope 365, speaks during the kickoff launch of the SAMENA Collective, South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African, a group of 17 local non-profit organizations, at the Access California Services in Anaheim on Friday, July 19, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Samar Aziz, co-founder and executive director of Sabil USA, speaks during the kickoff launch of the SAMENA Collective, South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African, a group of 17 local non-profit organizations, at the Access California Services in Anaheim on Friday, July 19, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A few of the booths set up at the kickoff launch of the SAMENA Collective, South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African, a group of 17 local non-profit organizations, at the Access California Services in Anaheim on Friday, July 19, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Farrah Khan, left, mayor of Irvine, speaks during the kickoff launch of the SAMENA Collective, South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African, a group of 17 local non-profit organizations, at the Access California Services in Anaheim on Friday, July 19, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

People wander among the booths set up at the kickoff launch of the SAMENA Collective, South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African, a group of 17 local non-profit organizations, at the Access California Services in Anaheim on Friday, July 19, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Amin Nash of the Arab American Civic Council and the SAMENA data chair, speaks during the kickoff launch of the SAMENA Collective, South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African, a group of 17 local non-profit organizations, at the Access California Services in Anaheim on Friday, July 19, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Members of the SAMENA Collective, South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African, gather for a group photo at the Access California Services in Anaheim on Friday, July 19, 2024. The group is made up of 17 local non-profit organizations. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Participants have their photo taken in front of a backdrop at the kickoff launch of the SAMENA Collective, South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African, a group of 17 local non-profit organizations, at the Access California Services in Anaheim on Friday, July 19, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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“SAMENA Collective is a testament to the dedication of the organizations that have been at the forefront of serving and advocating for our South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African residents,” OC Supervisor Doug Chaffee said.

Local SAMENA communities have been underserved, Nahla Kayali, founder of SAMENA said.

“For far too long, SAMENA communities have faced systemic neglect and underrepresentation,” Kayali said. “But today, we stand at a historic time, to ensure that our SAMENA community receives the recognition, resources and representation they rightfully deserve.”

According to 2020 census data, 102,916 Orange County residents are Middle Eastern or North African and 76,814 are South Asian.

“The time is right now to ensure equity and representation for our SAMENA community, whose contributions have been woven into the fabric of Southern California for over a century,” Kayali said.

The new group is actively looking for volunteers, members and donators, SAMENA Collective Membership Chairman Wali Qazizada said. To learn more about how to participate, visit the group’s website, www.samenaoc.org.

The SAMENA Collective launched on Friday with a press conference where the different nonprofits presented their contributions to the collective. Local government officials, including Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan and Anaheim Councilmember Stephen Feassel, were also present.

The nonprofits that make up the SAMENA Collective include Access California Services, Arab American Civic Council, Council on American Islamic Relations, Community Nexus and Global Hope 365. The full list of nonprofits can be found on SAMENA’s website.

Through these partners, the SAMENA Collective’s mission is to “advance equity, representation and quality of life of the SAMENA community through advocacy, resource development and strengthening of services,” according to the group’s website.

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