About Us
Founded in 2014 by immigrant Hodan Mohammed, Our Helpers is a women-led nonprofit on a mission to improve the lives of immigrant and refugee families in Central Ohio. After dedicating hundreds of volunteer hours to aid this community on her own, Hodan envisioned creating a formal organization to continue this important work. What began as an informal group driven by her vision is now Our Helpers, affectionately named by those they serve. The Somali phrase in our logo means "Don't be lonely, don't be sad. We are here to help," a mission we strive to live out daily.
Our CEO, Dr. Dorothy Hassan works towards the mission of improving the lives of immigrants and refugees in Central Ohio by keeping mental wellness at the heart of our strategy and programming. Supported by a dynamic Board of Directors committed to service and community, Our Helpers is helping families to transition from just surviving to thriving.
For over 15 years, Dr. Dorothy Hassan has been a strong leader and advocate for adult English language learners worldwide. With teaching experience in 3 countries and over a decade living abroad as an expatriate, she is deeply committed to cultural humility. She has published widely in the fields of diversity, equity and inclusion, and cultural competency, lending her voice to positive social change. As a minority female leading a Central Ohio nonprofit, Dr. Hassan focuses on empowering immigrant and refugee families in the region.