Arizona Allnation Refugee Resource Center (AARRC) previously known as The Iraqi American Society for Peace and Friendship (IASPF) is a non-profit, community based organization dedicated to assisting new refugees in Metro Phoenix in overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency and integration by providing education, advocacy and empowerment programs.   AARRC works to establish community dialogue, awareness, and potential for new opportunities.  AARRC strengthens the refugee community by closing service gaps that remain after the initial resettlement service period.

The need for extended resettlement services developed as over 10,000 Iraqi refugees have been resettled into the Phoenix area over the last two decades.  To accommodate the continuous influx of refugees,  AARRC developed programs that provide social, economic and educational services, which include English language instruction, citizenship preparation, employment support, translation services, immigration assistance, and referral to community services.

In addition to basic navigation and employment services, AARRC houses a Women’s Empowerment Program and Youth Outreach Program to support the unique needs of Iraqi families.  These programs promote health, community building and youth integration in the community.  AARRC’s programs operate with the assumption that individuals who participate in educational and empowerment programs are able to overcome depression, domestic violence and high-risk behaviors, and rather become civically engaged and are able to achieve a sustainable quality of life.

Our staff includes individuals from the community that know the culture and have experienced being a refugee themselves.  Therefore, we are well-equipped to meet the needs and challenges faced by new arrivals.  We are privileged to serve refugees who, after fleeing their homeland, still struggle every day to survive and adapt to their new country.

OUR MISSION:

Arizona Allnation Refugee Resource Center (AARRC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities, advocacy, and empowerment services to the Refugee community of Phoenix, Arizona.

Arizona Allnation Refugee Resource Center Board

Sabaa Abdullah, President

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 as a teacher.

Holly Marshall, Vice President

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 in our center and has been working with refugee families in crisis, assisting them in court and advising on domestic violence issues.

Allen Hsu, Board Member 

Allen passed the State Bar examination and is an attorney in the State of New York with the Supreme Court (Appellate Division), he is also 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. 

Rosalind Rivera, Board Member

Rosalind has worked with the Metro Phoenix refugees from all around the world since 1998, as a volunteer, member of the refugee center staff and director. She has been instrumental in being a part of writing Federal, State and local grants.